Updated on: March 4, 2026 / 2:52 AM EST / CBS News
Polls have closed in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas in a set of primary elections that mark the start of the 2026 midterm cycle and could highlight internal debates in both parties. Democrats aim to retake the House and Senate while Republicans try to hold or expand narrow majorities; Republicans historically face midterm headwinds as the president’s party often loses House seats, and Democrats confront a challenging Senate map this year.
Texas
In Texas, incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn is projected to enter a May runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton after neither cleared 50%. Cornyn is seeking a fifth Senate term as Paxton questions his conservative credentials; former President Trump has not endorsed a candidate. On the Democratic side, state Rep. James Talarico is projected to have won the nomination over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett; both campaigned on persuading voters they could break the long drought of statewide Democratic victories in Texas.
Several House primaries drew attention. Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw was projected to lose a primary challenge to state Rep. Steve Toth, who ran to Crenshaw’s right. GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales is projected to face a May runoff against hard-right gun advocate Brandon Herrera in a contest rocked recently by allegations of an affair between Gonzales and a staffer who later died by suicide. On the Democratic side, Tejano musician Bobby Pulido is projected to have defeated emergency physician Ada Cuellar for the nomination in the heavily Republican 15th District. Meanwhile, 11-term Rep. Al Green is running in a Houston-area seat reshaped by last year’s redistricting and faces newly elected Rep. Christian Menefee.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley are projected to have secured their parties’ Senate nominations in what could be one of the country’s most competitive Senate contests. Republican Laurie Buckhout is projected to face vulnerable Democratic Rep. Don Davis in the newly redrawn 1st Congressional District, and Jamie Ager is projected to have won the Democratic nomination in the GOP-leaning 11th District.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders ran unopposed for renomination, with two Democrats vying to challenge her in the general election.
