Results for key races to watch in March 2026 primary election

U.S. Senate

The race at the top of all Texans’ ballots was U.S. Senate. Both Republican and Democratic primaries were hotly contested.

On the Republican side, incumbent John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are heading to a runoff on Tuesday, May 26.

In the Democratic primary, former San Antonio teacher/state Rep. James Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett with 57% of votes.

The Associated Press called the race shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday, following chaos in Dallas County, the heart of Crockett’s congressional district.

U.S. Senators are elected for six-year terms.

Congressional District 21

Mark Teixeira (61%) won the Republican primary for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, defeating other candidates by more than 50 percentage points with 94% of votes counted.

Kristin Hook (60%) defeated Regina Vanburg (28%) in the Democratic primary race, the Associated Press reported.

Congressional District 23

One of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country is Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which includes roughly 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, stretching from San Antonio to El Paso.

On the Republican side, Congressman Tony Gonzales faced a rematch against a popular YouTuber, Brandon Herrera.

In the last election, Herrera took Gonzales to a runoff that ended with a roughly 400-vote difference.

It was close this time around, too. As of this writing, Gonzales had 42% of votes, while Herrera had 43%.

It’s almost certain Gonzales and Herrera will go to a runoff on May 26.

On the Democratic side, Katy Padilla Stout (53%) appears to have avoided a runoff against Santos Limon (26%).

Bexar County Judge and DA

The headliner among Bexar County races is the county judge primary, where incumbent Judge Peter Sakai faced former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg in the Democratic primary.

Nirenberg (62%) declared an early victory over Sakai (38%) in the Democratic primary race for Bexar County judge.

Nirenberg will face Republican Patrick Von Dohlen in November.

In the open race for Bexar County District Attorney, Democrats battled out a race that was called early Wednesday.

Luz Elena Chapa led the race with 24% of the vote in the Democratic primary, with Jane Davis in second with 18%.

That means there will be a May 26 runoff for the top two Democratic candidates.

Ashley Foster is the lone Republican in the race and secured the party’s nomination Tuesday night. Jason Wolff will also mount a run in November as an independent, if he can receive enough signatures to make the ballot.

More recent Vote 2026 coverage on KSAT:

• 2026 Texas primaries voter guide: Where to vote in Bexar County and what to bring on Election Day
• BALLOT: Voters to decide November ballot for top office races across Texas in March 3 primary
• KSAT’s election night coverage: Results, reaction, analysis to key local and statewide races