WASHINGTON — March 4, 2026 — Voters across three states cast ballots Tuesday in some of the most consequential midterm primary elections of the 2026 cycle. Here are the key results from Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas.
Texas: Talarico Wins Democratic Senate Primary in Upset
In one of the night's biggest surprises, State Rep. James Talarico, a 36-year-old Presbyterian seminarian and former teacher from Round Rock, won the Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas, defeating US Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas.
Talarico entered the race just last September as a relative unknown but quickly built a national following by making his Christian faith a central pillar of his campaign. He gained a major media boost when CBS's "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" declined to air an interview with him over FCC concerns — sparking curiosity that led to the interview being viewed millions of times online. Talarico also held a significant financial advantage over Crockett throughout the race.
The win sets up a historic November showdown: no Democrat has won a statewide race in Texas in over three decades. Talarico's opponent will be either incumbent Sen. John Cornyn or Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who are heading to a May 26 Republican runoff after neither cleared 50% on Tuesday.
Texas: Crenshaw Loses in Stunning Upset
In what may be the most striking individual result of the night, veteran Republican congressman Dan Crenshaw was defeated in the GOP primary for Texas' 2nd Congressional District by State Rep. Steve Toth. The loss reflects the cost of Crenshaw's years of criticism toward fellow Republicans, which alienated a base that has moved sharply to the right. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who became one of the most recognizable faces in Congress, will not be returning for another term.
Texas: Gonzales-Herrera Heading to Runoff Amid Scandal
Republican US Rep. Tony Gonzales and conservative activist Brandon Herrera will advance to a runoff in Texas' 23rd District, prolonging a race that has been rocked by explosive allegations. Gonzales has denied claims that he had an affair with a former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September. Text messages provided to CNN showed Gonzales sending lewd messages to Santos-Aviles, and her husband called the congressman a "predator" in a nationally televised interview. Several Republican colleagues have called on Gonzales to resign. He has refused.
Texas: Cuellar Survives Despite Pardon Controversy
Democrat Henry Cuellar, who received a "full and unconditional" pardon from President Trump in December after being charged with accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities, survived his primary and will seek a 12th term in Texas' 28th District. Cuellar denied wrongdoing and remained in the Democratic Party despite speculation he might switch sides, a decision that briefly soured Trump on the pardon he had granted.
North Carolina: Cooper vs. Whatley in Marquee Senate Race
In a critical battleground that could determine control of the US Senate, former Governor Roy Cooper cruised to victory in the Democratic Senate primary in North Carolina, capturing 92% of the vote against token opposition. On the Republican side, Michael Whatley, the chairman of the Republican National Committee and a close ally of Donald Trump, won the GOP nomination.
The Cooper vs. Whatley race is expected to be one of the most competitive and highest-spending Senate contests of the 2026 cycle. North Carolina is a perennial battleground, and the seat is seen as a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats as they seek to reclaim the Senate majority.
Arkansas
Arkansas also held primary elections Tuesday, though the state's deeply red tilt meant fewer competitive races. Results were still being tabulated for several down-ballot contests.
The Bigger Picture
Tuesday's results are an early snapshot of a midterm environment shaped by economic anxiety, the ongoing US-Iran conflict, and lingering tensions within the Republican Party over loyalty to the MAGA movement. The Crenshaw defeat in particular signals that Republican incumbents perceived as insufficiently loyal to the Trump agenda face real danger — even in safe districts.
On the Democratic side, Talarico's victory in Texas and Cooper's clear path in North Carolina give the party two credible candidates in states that will define whether Democrats can make meaningful Senate gains in November.
The New Dispensation will continue to track all 2026 midterm races. Stay with us for full coverage ahead of November 3.
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