Texas U.S. Senate 2026: dates, candidates, how to vote
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The Texas U.S. Senate general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Republican Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, faces Democrat James Talarico, a state representative and former teacher, for the seat held by Sen. John Cornyn — whom Paxton defeated in the May 26 Republican primary runoff. The last day to register to vote in Texas is October 5, 2026.
How the matchup was set
Primary day
Talarico wins the Democratic primary over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. On the Republican side, Sen. John Cornyn (42.0%) and Paxton (40.5%) head to a runoff after neither clears 50%.
Republican runoff
Paxton defeats Cornyn days after receiving President Trump’s endorsement, unseating the four-term incumbent for the nomination.
General election
Paxton vs. Talarico, plus Libertarian and other nominees. Polls show a historically close race in a state that last elected a Democratic senator in 1988.
Key dates for Texas voters
- October 5, 2026 — last day to register to vote (30 days before the election).
- Mid-to-late October 2026 — early voting period (dates set by the Secretary of State; check votetexas.gov).
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — Election Day, polls open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Texas requires an approved form of photo ID at the polls for most voters. Registration status, sample ballots, and polling locations are available at votetexas.gov, the Texas Secretary of State’s official voter site.
Why this race matters nationally
Texas is one of a handful of races likely to determine control of a closely divided U.S. Senate. Polling through June 2026 has shown Paxton and Talarico within the margin of error — the closest a Democrat has come in a Texas Senate race since Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 challenge, in a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.1
Before you vote, compare what each candidate has actually done. We’ve laid both records out, line by line, with dispositions and sources: The Record vs. The Record.
Related Questions
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Texas in 2026?
Republican Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, and Democrat James Talarico, a Texas state representative, are the major-party nominees, along with Libertarian and other candidates. The seat is currently held by Sen. John Cornyn, who lost the Republican runoff to Paxton on May 26, 2026.1
When is the last day to register to vote in Texas for the 2026 election?
— 30 days before the November 3 general election. You can check your registration status at votetexas.gov.
When did Texas last elect a Democratic senator?
1988, when Lloyd Bentsen won re-election. Every Texas U.S. Senate race since has been won by a Republican, though polling shows the 2026 race within the margin of error.1
Make your record count
Last day to register in Texas: October 5, 2026.
Check Your RegistrationSources & Dispositions
- Ballotpedia, “United States Senate election in Texas, 2026” — primary and runoff results, candidate list, race ratings.
- VoteTexas.gov — Texas Secretary of State official voter registration and election information.
- Texas Politics Project / University of Texas at Austin polling, June 2026; RealClearPolling 2026 Texas Senate average.
