Texas Election Season Heats Up as Early Voting in Senate Primaries Begins

Image courtesy of The New York Times. From ‘Texas Election Season Heats Up as Early Voting in Senate Primaries Begins’ (February 18, 2026). Credit: Katie Glueck. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/us/politics/texas-elections-senate-primary.html. © Original owner. Used under fair use.

Texas election season is heating up as early voting in Senate primaries gets underway. Both parties’ primary races are now in full swing, with Republicans engaging in bitter infighting and Democrats seeing an opportunity to be competitive against the right Republican opponent.

The Texas Democratic Party has struggled at the statewide level for over three decades, but this year’s environment may prove different. State Representative James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for Senate, made national headlines last week after Stephen Colbert claimed on his late-night show that CBS stopped him from airing an interview with Talarico due to Trump administration guidance about equal airtime for political candidates. While CBS contested the account, the incident has turned Talarico into a national Trump foil at a critical moment in the race.

The Republican primary is also heating up, with various candidates vying for the nomination to take on incumbent Senator John Cornyn in November. Some have criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s involvement in the primary, citing his record of corruption and ethics scandals. Meanwhile, other Republicans are positioning themselves as more conservative alternatives to Cornyn.

As early voting begins, both parties are pouring money into their respective Senate primaries. Democrats see this year’s environment as an opportunity to be competitive against the right Republican opponent, with many viewing Donald Trump’s popularity as a liability for some candidates. However, not all Republicans are panicking about Trump’s influence, and some argue that his support can still be beneficial in certain districts.

The stakes are high in Texas, where Democrats have struggled at the statewide level for decades. While many view this year’s environment as a chance to make gains, there is also concern that the party may fall short of expectations once again. As the primary contests heat up, one thing is clear: the Texas election season has officially kicked into high gear.

For everyday Americans, the outcome of these Senate primaries matters greatly. The next Senator from Texas will have significant sway over issues like healthcare, education, and immigration policy. Residents in the state’s many diverse districts are eager to see their voices represented at the federal level, and this year’s primary contests offer a critical opportunity for voters to make their preferences known.

As the Republican primary continues to unfold, one question looms large: can the party put aside its internal divisions long enough to mount a credible challenge against Cornyn in November? Democrats, meanwhile, are hopeful that their candidate will emerge from the primary with momentum and a clear message. Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that this year’s Senate primaries in Texas will be ones to watch.

Now that early voting has begun, readers can engage in the conversation about these critical contests. Share your thoughts on what you think is at stake in these primary elections, or ask questions about specific candidates and their platforms. With just weeks left until the first major Senate primary contests of the year take place, it’s an ideal time to weigh in on the action unfolding in Texas.