The 2026 midterm election cycle began Tuesday as voters in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas headed to the polls to decide the future of their parties. The primary contests arrive at a high-stakes moment for the nation, as the outbreak of war with Iran shadows domestic politics.
Both Democrats and Republicans are working to select the candidates they believe can secure control of Congress and key statehouses in the upcoming November general election.
The most intense focus remains on Texas, where a high-profile Republican battle for the U.S. Senate is underway. Incumbent Senator John Cornyn faces a significant primary challenge from State Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt.
Cornyn, a four-term senator, noted the high stakes on Fox News Tuesday morning.
“Republican voters are going to need to decide, do we want to win? Do we want to keep Texas red?” Cornyn said. “If the Attorney General (Ken Paxton) is the nominee, that risks everything we’ve been working on.”
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Paxton’s campaign has emphasized his conservative record, including lawsuits regarding immigration and abortion, despite a history of legal challenges and a 2023 impeachment and subsequent acquittal. Conversely, critics of the Attorney General argue his nomination could jeopardize GOP control of the seat.
On the Democratic side in Texas, voters are choosing between U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James Talarico. Crockett, a former public defender who has gained national attention for her sharp exchanges in Congress, spent the day traveling across the state.
“I’m on the move all day because this fight is bigger than one stop, one speech or one person,” Crockett posted on social media.
Her opponent, Talarico, is a former teacher and current divinity student who has leaned into his faith to discuss liberal policies. Talarico’s campaign reported raising $15 million, citing contributions from over a quarter-million people. “Our momentum is undeniable,” Talarico told the Associated Press during a campaign stop in San Antonio.
In North Carolina, the primary is defined by the vacancy left by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. Former Governor Roy Cooper is seeking the Democratic nomination, while former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley runs for the GOP. State election officials reported that early voting participation was up 25% compared to the 2022 midterm primaries, with over 714,000 ballots cast before Tuesday.
Arkansas voters are also making their selections, though incumbents there remain strong favorites. Senator Tom Cotton is seeking a third term against two primary challengers, while Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running unopposed for the Republican nomination in her bid for a second term.
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Beyond the candidates, administrative and legal issues have cropped up.
In El Paso County, Texas, several polling sites shifted to manual check-ins after electronic voter check-in systems experienced glitches. Meanwhile, a legal battle looms over the future of Texas elections; the state GOP has filed a lawsuit to end the current open primary system and move to a closed system by 2028.
As polls close throughout the evening, election officials and observers are watching for whether these primary results will require runoff elections, particularly in the crowded Texas Republican Senate race, where a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote to avoid a second round in May.
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