Overview
- Republicans face a three-way U.S. Senate contest among John Cornyn, Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt that is widely expected to head to a May 26 runoff as no candidate appears poised to clear 50%.
- Ken Paxton often leads pre-election polling, yet national GOP leaders and the NRSC, which backs Cornyn, warn his vulnerabilities could imperil the seat in November and force a major cash diversion.
- Democrats choose between Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico in a competitive primary framed as a contrast in style and strategy for a rare statewide pickup opportunity.
- Early voting in Harris County underscored Democratic energy, with 220,284 Democratic ballots cast versus 126,513 Republican ballots out of 346,797 total from Feb. 17–27, according to the county clerk.
- The races unfold as U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran reshape the news environment, with at least six U.S. service members reported killed and candidates addressing the conflict as President Trump withholds a Senate endorsement.