The outcome of several closely watched Texas races on Tuesday could reshape the state’s political landscape heading into November.
One of the most closely watched races was for Congressional District 18, where voters weighed the decades-long tenure of U.S. Rep. Al Green against U.S. Rep Christian Menefee’s call for a new generation of leadership. Since neither candidate received 50% of the vote, Green and Menefee will advance to a May runoff.
The contest drew significant attention across Houston and nationally.
Speaking at a watch party Tuesday night, Menefee celebrated his slight lead over Green.
” I’m focused on taking this district to the future,” Menefee said.
Green, speaking at his own watch party, said he hopes to continue serving his constituents.
“The 18th Congressional District has been without representation for almost a year, and I want people to know that I plan to maintain my high voting record, and that I’m on the job,” Green said. “And hopefully people will understand and realize that this is what they have elected me to do.”
At the statewide level, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett mounted a competitive campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, but she ultimately fell short, 46% to Talarico’s 53% (with 91% of the precincts reporting).
Voting was extended in Dallas County and Williamson County, outside Austin, after voters reported being turned away and directed to different voting precincts because of new primary rules. Paxton’s office later challenged a decision keeping the polls open longer, and the state Supreme Court ruled that ballots cast by people not in line by 7 p.m. should be separated from others.
Longtime Sen. John Cornyn and MAGA favorite Ken Paxton are heading to a May runoff in Texas’ Republican Senate primary, setting up what’s expected to be a nasty and expensive second round and a renewed push to win the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Wesley Hunt came in a distant third. Talarico will face the winner of the Paxton-Cornyn runoff.
Several other races also produced notable outcomes.
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker held a substantial lead in her bid for the Harris County Judge’s seat in the Democratic primary election, according to initial results. But she was not quite in a position to avoid a runoff. That race also had not been called by press time.
Parker received 48.6% of the vote during the early voting period, compared to former Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer’s 37.5%, according to incomplete returns. Matt Salazar, the only other Democratic candidate on the ballot, had received 14%.
If either candidate fails to gain 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a May 26 runoff election.
Incumbent Sylvia Garcia held a substantial lead against Jarvis Johnson, 59% to 35% in another race that’s yet to be called.
Beyond the individual contests, turnout numbers were among the most significant storylines of the election.
For the first time in more than two decades, Democrats outnumbered Republicans in early voting across Texas, a development that has energized the party ahead of what many expect to be a pivotal election cycle.
Statewide, 1.33 million Democrats cast early ballots, compared with 1.1 million Republicans.
Democratic turnout surged 126% compared with 2024 and 35% compared with 2020, both presidential primary years that historically drive higher voter participation.
Texas has long remained a Republican stronghold. No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, and the state has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988.
Still, early voting numbers are fueling optimism among Democrats who believe this election cycle could signal a shift in political momentum in the state.
Election officials are expected to release additional turnout and voting data in the coming days as the final results are certified.
This story will be updated as more official results come in throughout the day….
