The latest 2026 elections news from The Texas Tribune.
President Donald Trump said he thinks Republicans could flip a handful of congressional districts in Texas next year through “just a very simple redrawing." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9669d276db80602682bb39c1d8101afa/Texas%20Redistricting%20Presser%20REUTERS.jpg)
Crenshaw’s sparring with fellow prominent conservatives has invited backlash from the right, but his past primary opponents have failed to capitalize at the ballot box. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c4ed266007bc327c1652d73fd22d889/Toth%20and%20Crenshaw%20TT%2001.jpg)
The third-term Democrat from Dallas faces long odds in a state that has only elected Republicans to statewide office for three decades. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a8d19f129f05919b4526b67e59f98300/0601%20Senate%20Heads%20BD%20TT%2013.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott has acknowledged DOJ concerns that some districts were drawn “along strict racial lines.” Critics say it’s a political ploy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8121bee919f29896334cf7b9b7f369d0/Abbott%20DOGE%20KCG%20TT%2003.jpg)
Cornyn will need to use his deep coffers to overcome an early polling deficit to Paxton, who is looking to deny the GOP incumbent’s bid for a fifth term. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a14a329dfaf8581d012c3f75665fdfb/Cornyn%20and%20Paxton%20TT%2001.jpg)
In a statement, Angela Paxton said she moved to end her 38-year marriage “on biblical grounds,” citing “recent discoveries.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/37d777dfbb61f282f112bd04a575cbbc/0523%20GOP%20Convention%20EH%20TT%2055.jpg)
Spurred by President Donald Trump’s political team, Texas lawmakers will try to redraw the state’s congressional map to boost Republicans — but some GOP incumbents are uneasy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/62c3151bf44b1c406f95338fde798dfb/BD%20INC%20House%20redistricting%20Map%2002%202011)
The Republican governor laid out an ambitious agenda that includes an unexpected array of conservative bills that failed during the regular session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0248ac9cd11ea600f928b365fe103f4a/0705%20Hill%20Country%20Flood%20RB%20TT%2043.jpg)
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s aides have signaled their boss’s willingness to counter Texas redistricting with a similar move to offset GOP gains, lawmakers said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c69c1dbe7c1106bbe2a0097dc9226715/Newsom%20REUTERS.JPG)
Allred lost to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz last year by 8.5 points while outperforming the top of the ticket. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dc1874222a3c31020dccb8e35e5507dc/1026%20Kamala%20Harris%20Houston%20JB%20TT%2031.jpg)
Soon after Birdwell announced his retirement, state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, said he was running for the seat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7c1e07bb37dafdb6a46a7bfbd6983db/0324%20Senate%20LW%2012.JPG)
As he faces the toughest electoral challenge of his career, Cornyn has also wielded his powers as a U.S. senator to lean into partisan issues prized by the GOP base. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ca0a6488a16876a93a56dc2da78ed255/Cornyn%20Rollins%20Confirmation%20REUTERS.JPG)
The contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6605814801d76f282eb2cb24a848bcb0/Senate%20Action%20SP%20TT%2068.jpg)
In dueling lawsuits, current and former employees of the attorney general’s office sling allegations that threaten to intrude on Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ba16d313f9302cd28b0d0e3fadbdfa98/Paxton%20Presser%20BD%20small%20TT%2001.jpg)
Casar, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, thinks economic populism and “authentic candidates” can win back recently converted GOP voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/48e290abd57cc1509e1e880e6cf54fe3/1206%20Greg%20Casar%20LJ%2021%20TT.jpg)
The North Texas district opened up last week when Republican Kelly Hancock resigned from the upper chamber to take over as the state’s acting comptroller. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ad7cf077bff7e3316d5df6c55ecef1ba/0106%20Paxton%20Ft%20Worth%20EL%20TT%2009.jpg)
In her announcement, Huffman framed herself as the most experienced candidate, pointing to her time as a prosecutor, judge and chair of key Senate committees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/61410e76d78afd1141a3d46ff75f6bd7/13%20Senate%20Finance%20TT%20EW.jpg)
The early announcement tees up what is likely to be a crowded primary field angling for the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/12346b8b700a5ca4e504a97f5bd15f5d/061115%20Terry%20Virts%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
Democrats will need to sort through a pileup of potential candidates who see an opportunity to harness backlash to the Trump administration in next year’s midterms. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73b3834a8d17a36adb92ede103a950a1/0606%20TDP%20Convention%20JH%20TT%2030.jpg)
In a launch video, Storey Rubio attacked Gonzales’ border security record and said it’s “time to round up the career politicians and deport them out of Washington.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3dcf96cbb053ac4a6a30021b5f81c055/Susan%20Storey%20Rubio%20TT%2002.jpg)