In a night of significant upsets during the 2026 Texas primary elections, two prominent members of Congress from the state suffered defeats that highlight intraparty challenges and shifting dynamics.
State Rep. James Talarico defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn. With more than 95 percent of votes counted, Talarico secured approximately 52 percent of the vote to Crockett’s 46 percent. Crockett, a Dallas-area congresswoman known for her outspoken style since entering Congress in 2022, conceded the race early Wednesday morning.
In her concession statement, Crockett said: “This morning I called James and congratulated him on becoming the Senate nominee. Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person. This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track. With the primary behind us, Democrats must rally around our nominees and win. I’m committed to doing my part and will continue working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.”
Separately, state Rep. Steve Toth defeated Rep. Dan Crenshaw in the Republican primary for Texas’ 2nd Congressional District, which covers parts of Harris and Montgomery counties and was redrawn in recent years to lean more conservative. Toth won by roughly 18 percentage points, according to early counts reported by the Associated Press. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL and four-term incumbent, did not receive an endorsement from President Donald Trump and faced criticism from some conservative figures over his positions on certain issues, including the 2020 election and bipartisan legislation.
Crenshaw released a statement following the loss: “I am proud of what we accomplished together. My life has been about service to this great county and that will not change.”
The outcomes reflect broader trends in the Texas primaries. Redistricting played a role in several races, and Crenshaw’s defeat marks the first time a Texas congressional incumbent has lost a primary since 2014. In Crockett’s current House district (Texas’ 30th), her pastor, Frederick Haynes III, won the Democratic nomination to succeed her in the safely Democratic seat.
These results come amid reports of voter confusion in some areas, including Dallas County, where court rulings affected polling hours. However, projections from major outlets confirmed the winners well after polls closed.
Both races now advance the winners toward the November 2026 general election, where they will face their respective opponents in contests that could influence control of Congress.
