US Midterm Primaries: Texas and North Carolina Senate Races Set November Stage
The 2026 US midterm primary season has opened with high-stakes Senate races in Texas and North Carolina. In Texas, Democrat Jasmine Crockett and state representative James Talarico contested a fiercely fought Senate primary, while Republican incumbent John Cornyn faced a bitter challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton potentially heading to a runoff. In North Carolina, former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and Trump-backed Republican Michael Whatley advanced for the seat vacated by Thom Tillis. A Fox News poll found voters split 50-50 on military action against Iran.
Key Facts
- 1Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and state representative James Talarico were locked in a fiercely contested Democratic Texas Senate primary with record turnout
- 2Republican Senator John Cornyn faced a bitter primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, with the contest likely heading to a runoff
- 3National Republicans fear a Paxton victory could open the door to Democrats in Texas
- 4Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and Trump-backed Republican Michael Whatley advanced from North Carolina's Senate primaries
- 5Voters in two major Texas counties were turned away at polling locations due to confusion over a change in primary rules
- 6A judge extended voting hours in Dallas County amid high demand
- 7A Fox News poll found voters split 50-50 on US military action against Iran, with a majority criticising Trump's handling of the conflict
- 8A suspect was arrested outside a Texas GOP campaign office in possession of ammunition on primary night
Coverage
Reported by The Guardian, AP News, The New York Times, NPR, Fox News, and The Independent, reflecting the national political significance of the primaries.
Sources (16)
Suspect arrested outside Paxton HQ with ammo in car following disturbance
Fox News · 1d ago
Texas polls begin to close as Democratic rivals battle in Senate primary
The Guardian · 1d ago
Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley win North Carolina primaries
The Independent · 1d ago
North Carolina: Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley win primaries to set up Senate contest
The Guardian · 1d ago
Roy Cooper, Michael Whatley set to compete for a high-stakes North Carolina U.S. Senate seat
NPR · 1d ago
Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley Advance in North Carolina Senate Race
The New York Times · 1d ago
In divided North Carolina, Whatley and Cooper emerge for Senate battle that could tip Washington
Fox News · 1d ago
Fight between Texas Republicans for US Senate seat leaves party on edge
The Guardian · 1d ago
Change in primary voting rules leads to confusion in 2 Texas counties as voters are turned away
AP News · 1d ago
Trump, Rubio and Hegseth can’t seem to get their stories straight on rationale for Iran war as Mideast explodes
The Independent · 1d ago
Vote counting underway in Texas primary that may be crucial to control of the Senate
NPR · 1d ago
Fox News Poll: Views are divided on US action against Iran
Fox News · 1d ago
US midterm primary season kicks off in shadow of Iran war
Al Jazeera · 1d ago
Texas two-step: Republicans and Democrats both have a lot riding on the first big primaries of the midterms. Here’s why
The Independent · 1d ago
Texas GOP Sen. Cornyn tries to hold his seat while Democrats Crockett, Talarico face off for Senate
AP News · 2d ago
A mess in Texas? What to watch in Tuesday's primaries
AP News · 2d ago