Midterm Primary Elections: What You Need to Know
The filing period for the March 3 midterm primary elections opens Saturday for scores of offices on the local, state and federal level. It closes Dec. 8.
The primary is the first step in a midterm election season that could reshape government on all levels and will have national implications as control of Congress hangs in the balance.
Many candidates have already launched campaigns or announced their intentions to be on the March ballot. More contenders are expected to join before the Dec. 8 filing deadline.
Races to Watch
Next year’s contests are highlighted by the race for Texas governor, where Republican Greg Abbott is seeking a historic fourth term. Abbott is expected to officially launch his reelection campaign Sunday in Houston.
Abbott faces light competition in the GOP primary. The Democratic field includes state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin and Houston businessman Andrew White.
Gov. Greg Abbott speaks after signing House Bill 4211 during a news conference at Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club in Fairview on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer
Senate Race
Perhaps the biggest Lone Star contest is the race for Senate, where longtime Republican incumbent John Cornyn is locked in a primary fight with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston.
There are also critical congressional races, including five districts the Republican-controlled Legislature revamped in August to flip from Democrats to the GOP. Much of that action takes place in North Texas, where Democrats could lose one congressional seat.
All 38 congressional seats are on the ballot, as well as all 150 Texas House seats, 16 state Senate seats, eight State Board of Education seats, four Supreme Court justices, three Court of Criminal Appeals posts, seven Court of Appeals chief justices and three 15th Court of Appeals seats.
Congressional Contests
Texas’ congressional contests could determine which party controls the U.S. House.
In August the Texas Legislature — in a rare mid-decade move — redrew congressional lines. The political motive was clear. Historically the party that controls the White House takes heavy congressional losses during midterm elections. Trump wants Republicans to maintain control of Congress after 2026 so he can continue to implement his agenda.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, speaks during a campaign event on Proposition 50, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Ethan Swope / AP
Other Key Races
There’s action on both sides to replace Paxton, who’s running for Senate.
The GOP field includes U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, an Austin Republican in his fourth term in Congress. The other major contenders are Sens. Joan Huffman of Houston and Mayes Middleton of Galveston, along with Aaron Reitz, a former chief of staff for Sen. Ted Cruz and former deputy attorney general under Paxton.
The Democratic field includes state Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas and former Galveston mayor and 2022 attorney general contender Joe Jaworski, as well as Dallas lawyer Tony Box.
