Texas elections

The Fort Worth Republican, one of the most hardline conservatives in the Texas House, had been floated for secretary of state in unconfirmed media reports ahead of his hire by the governor.

Now permitted to spend freely in coordination with GOP candidates, national Republican committees can use their flush war chests to help candidates like Paxton close fundraising deficits.

Texas Democrats spent their 3-day convention in Corpus Christi rallying party activists, training volunteers and making the case for Democratic policies and candidates across the state ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The outgoing lawmakers have cast doubt on whether their respective primary opponents, Ken Paxton and James Talarico, can win in November.

The vast majority of Republicans indicated they had moved on from the bitter GOP primary and now support Paxton. Talarico had commanding leads among independents and moderates.

The attorney general has won statewide elections twice since his legal woes began. This time he will be at the top of the ticket, facing a fundraising juggernaut in James Talarico.

Gov. Greg Abbott and state party leaders want a Texas law allowing only registered Republicans to vote in GOP primaries.

Texas Republicans spread message of unity ahead of November midterms.

Dan Cogdell, who represented Paxton for nearly a decade in two high-profile cases, said his former client "has lost sight of his core mission."

After Jane Nelson's unexpected resignation, local election leaders worry her successor could complicate midterm election administration. Gov. Greg Abbott hasn't yet named a replacement.