As the Texas primary nears, candidates are racing to finalize their messages to voters just ahead of the election.
Set for March 3, the primary gives Republicans and Democrats only a handful of days to navigate the competition. Here’s what you should know about three significant primaries.
1. Ken Paxton vs. John Cornyn vs. Wesley Hunt
The Republican primary has turned into quite a complicated situation, featuring incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, backed by the establishment, against Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. Previously, Cornyn and Paxton had clashed in a tense primary before Hunt withdrew from the competition.
Although Hunt’s prospects seem limited, his candidacy is putting financial pressure on Republicans who must keep the race competitive.
In their head-to-head matchup, Paxton and Cornyn are closely matched, with only a 2.3 point difference on average. Polls indicate both candidates are ahead of Hunt, with one reflecting Paxton at 36%, Cornyn at 34%, and Hunt at 26%.
If nobody achieves at least 50% of the vote, this could lead to a runoff, consuming valuable resources destined for tougher contests. Interestingly, former President Trump hasn’t issued an endorsement for any of these candidates.
2. Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico
While Republicans are managing well in the Senate race, Democrats are also striving to find their footing.
Things heated up recently when Stephen Colbert’s show opted not to air an interview with Rep. James Talarico, who had been critical of the Trump administration and the FCC’s equal time rules. In response, Rep. Jasmine Crockett asserted that the interview’s cancellation was due to Colbert’s choice or the show’s decision, rather than her own merits.
Crockett has emerged as a notable figure within the party’s progressive faction, while Talarico identifies as a Blue Dog Democrat with a Christian upbringing.
Talarico’s moderate approach might grant him an edge in the general election. However, recent polling suggests Crockett holds a slight advantage of around 3 points over her primary contenders. Regardless, polls indicate that both Crockett and Talarico hold a promising chance against Paxton in the broader Senate battle.
3. Tony Gonzalez vs. Brandon Herrera
The House primary race features incumbent Congressman Tony Gonzalez (R) and gun enthusiast Brandon Herrera, both vying for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.
Herrera came close to defeating Gonzalez in 2024, although Gonzalez managed to retain his seat. However, following a scandal, Gonzalez’s re-election seems increasingly uncertain, as pressure mounts for him to resign from within his party.
The issue began last September with the tragic death of Gonzalez’s former staffer, which linked to allegations of an affair between them. Subsequent text messages appeared to affirm claims of inappropriate behavior.
These revelations have led to widespread calls for Gonzalez’s resignation, although Trump has yet to retract his support for him.
