As Texas Republicans headed into their 2026 primary elections, President Donald Trump stepped forcefully into a number of key races across the state. In several contests, his preferred candidates differed from those backed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, setting up a series of high-profile tests of influence within the party. The results delivered a mixed picture, with some Trump-backed candidates prevailing while others fell short against Abbott-supported opponents.
One of the most notable setbacks for Trump came in the race for Texas agriculture commissioner. The president endorsed incumbent Sid Miller just four days before the primary election. The endorsement arrived after early voting had already concluded, leaving Miller’s campaign only the weekend before election day to highlight the support. Despite the late boost, Miller lost to Abbott-backed candidate Nate Sheets by roughly five percentage points.
Trump found greater success in the race for Texas comptroller. Former state senator Don Huffines, who previously challenged Abbott for governor in 2022, secured the Republican nomination after defeating acting comptroller Kelly Hancock. Both endorsements in the race came on the final Friday before election day, which was also the last day of early voting.
A dramatic development unfolded in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. Trump had endorsed incumbent congressman Tony Gonzales, who initially appeared headed for a runoff with challenger Brandon Herrera. However, Gonzales withdrew from the race following mounting pressure tied to revelations about a relationship with a staff member who later died after setting herself on fire. His departure effectively cleared the path for Herrera to become the Republican nominee for the district.
In another closely watched contest, Trump backed Republican candidate Alex Mealer in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District. Mealer is competing against Abbott-endorsed state Rep. Briscoe Cain in a race widely viewed as a potential Republican pickup opportunity. Neither candidate secured a majority in the primary, sending the race to a runoff.
Several Trump-endorsed state legislative incumbents also faced trouble on election night. State Rep. Stan Kitzman, who had supported school choice legislation in 2025, lost his Republican primary for House District 85 to challenger Dennis Geesaman. In another upset, state Rep. Cecil Bell Jr. was defeated in the Republican primary for House District 3 by Kristen Plaisance.
Meanwhile, Trump-backed candidate Carlos De La Cruz advanced to a runoff in the 35th Congressional District. De La Cruz will face Abbott-endorsed state Rep. John Lujan, setting up another direct contest between candidates aligned with the two Republican power centers.
One of Trump’s clearer victories came in Texas’ 8th Congressional District. Former Department of Justice attorney Jessica Hart Steinmann won the Republican primary for the open seat after Rep. Morgan Luttrell chose not to seek reelection.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night occurred in Texas’ 2nd Congressional District. Incumbent Rep. Dan Crenshaw lost his primary to state Rep. Steve Toth by a wide margin. Trump had not endorsed either candidate in that race.
Following the primaries, Trump highlighted the overall performance of his endorsed candidates nationwide and in Texas on social media, pointing to more than 100 victories in the state.
Attention now turns to the Republican runoff in the U.S. Senate race between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Both candidates advanced after eliminating Rep. Wesley Hunt from the race. Trump signaled that he plans to weigh in soon, promising an endorsement that could shape the outcome of one of the most closely watched contests in Texas politics.
