Election 2026: Contested Primary Races in Texas and Panhandle The Texas primary election took place on Tuesday, featuring key races for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and State House District 86. Among the most anticipated contests was the Republican Senate primary, where longtime Senator John Cornyn and MAGA-backed candidate Ken Paxton advanced to a May runoff. On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico maintained a narrow lead over U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett in the same race. Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick secured their nominations without opposition, winning their respective primaries decisively. A notable upset occurred in the Agricultural Commissioner race, where incumbent Sid Miller lost to challenger Nate Sheets, a businessman known for founding the Nature Nate’s honey brand. Sheets will face goat farmer Clayton Tucker in the November general election. In the State House District 86 race, Holly Jeffreys defeated Jamie Haynes to claim the Republican nomination. The seat was previously held by John Smithee, who is retiring after nearly four decades in office. Jeffreys will now face Democrat Cullin Knutson, an Amarillo native, in the general election. The primary also saw significant changes on the Potter County Commission, with three of the five seats going to new candidates. Two commissioners running for re-election lost their bids, and longtime Judge Nancy Tanner chose not to seek a fourth term. Other local news included discussions about the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Board’s potential removal of thousands of prairie dogs from John Stiff Memorial Park due to concerns over the animals’ impact.#texas #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #jasmine_crockett
