(The Center Square) – Several key primary elections are on the March 3 ballot with early voting beginning in two weeks, on Feb. 17.
One of the most contentious races is for a U.S. Senate seat where two Republicans are challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn: Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Paxton has been embroiled in legal battles nearly his entire tenure stemming from allegations related to his impeachment by the Texas House, led by Republicans. His current and former staff are still embroiled in lawsuits, The Center Square reported. Paxton has also lost conservative group endorsements who’ve cited marital infidelity as a top reason. Gov. Greg Abbott has also demanded that Paxton enforce an executive order he issued, which he has yet to do.
Hunt has come under heavy criticism for missing 24% of floor votes last year. During the campaign season in January, he missed nearly all floor votes. In an interview with an Amarillo ABC News affiliate, he responded to the criticism saying, “Last I checked, the people of Texas don’t necessarily care about your attendance record.”
Cornyn’s voting record in support of Trump policies surpasses 90%; he’s received the most endorsements from Texas leaders, businesses, law enforcement and other groups.
According to the latest polls, Paxton and Cornyn are statistically tied. No one is expected to win the March 3 Republican primary; a runoff election is expected in May.
In the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are also fighting a contentious race. Depending on the poll, they’re either statistically tied or one is ahead of the other by eight or nine points. The race is seen as a tossup.
Polls show the most favorable outcome in November for Republicans winning is if Cornyn wins the primary; he consistently beats Crockett and Talarico in matchups.
Republicans vying to replace Paxton as attorney general are U.S. Rep. Chip Roy; Paxton’s former assistant attorney general, Aaron Reitz; and state Sens. Joan Huffman and Mayes Middleton. Democrats running include a former Army JAG officer and former assistant U.S. attorney, Tony Box, Galveston attorney Joe Jaworski and state Sen. Nathan Johnson. Runoffs are expected in these races.
Three Democrats and four Republicans are running for state comptroller. Democrat state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt is the frontrunner in her race. Acting State Comptroller Kelly Hancock is being challenged by CPA Michael Berlanga, Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former failed gubernatorial candidate and car salesman Don Huffines. Abbott has endorsed Hancock, as have nearly all Texas-based groups, ranging from businesses to law enforcement. Hancock is currently rolling out Texas’ new school choice program.
Republican incumbent Agriculture Secretary Sid Miller is being challenged by north Texas businessman and honey grower Nate Sheets. Abbott, numerous Republican officials, multiple businesses, farmers, ranching and agricultural groups have endorsed Sheets.
Miller has been criticized and lost endorsements after allegations of fraud, which he denies. According to Miller’s campaign finance reports, he rehired an aid who pleaded guilty to commercial bribery, the Texas Voice reported. Community organizer Clayton Tucker is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket.
Incumbent Republican Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is running for reelection unopposed in her primary; two Democrats are also running.
All 150 Texas House representative seats are up for election to a two-year-term. The majority of incumbents are running for reelection, many unopposed. Sixteen state senate seats are up for election to a four-year term. In one state Senate seat vacated by Hancock, a Republican lost a special election in a major upset on Sunday, The Center Square reported.
All Texas congressional seats are up for election, with nearly all in newly redistricted districts. Several Democrats could lose their seats due to the new map that is in effect. A Democrat who won his special election on Sunday in a Houston congressional race isn’t favored to win the primary or general election in the newly drawn district where incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Green is running for reelection, The Center Square reported.
Eight members of Texas’ State Board of Education are up for election in districts 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is running for reelection against four unknown challengers with no elected or political experience. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin is expected to win the Democratic primary against two other candidates with little to no name recognition. Former Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, Mike Collier, is running again this year as an independent. He lost the same Democratic primary in 2022, The Center Square reported.
Of the 24 candidates who’ve filed to run for governor, none are are favored to beat incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in March or November. Abbott is running for his fourth term.
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, is favored to win the Democratic primary in March.
