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Texas 2026 Election: Senate & Governor Races, Candidates & Poll Times

Facts checked Nov. 3, 2026 · Jamoke News does not project winners or call races; results link to the AP.

What was on the ballot in Texas on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026: the U.S. Senate race, the governor’s race and the most competitive U.S. House districts, with candidates, Cook Political Report ratings, poll-closing time and the latest coverage.

Polls close: 8 p.m. ET in most of the state; 9 p.m. ET in the El Paso area (Mountain time). All states. Results: AP Texas results.

Texas Senate race

Ken Paxton (R) vs. James Talarico (D)
Cook rating (Nov. 2): Toss Up · Result: James Talarico (D) won (AP via PBS News; AP results)

Open seat. Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the May 26 Republican runoff; state Rep. James Talarico won the Democratic nomination over Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Libertarian Ted Brown is also on the ballot.

Sources: Cook Political Report Senate ratings, Nov. 2, 2026 · Wikipedia: 2026 United States Senate elections (nominee lists, sourced to state election offices)

Texas governor race

Greg Abbott (R) — incumbent vs. Gina Hinojosa (D)
Cook rating (Oct. 29): Lean R · Result: Gina Hinojosa (D) won (AP via PBS News; AP results)

Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking another term.

Sources: Cook Political Report governor ratings, Oct. 29, 2026 · Wikipedia: 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Texas House races to watch

Districts the Cook Political Report does not rate as solid (Nov. 2); incumbent or open seat as Cook lists them.

TX-15 (De La Cruz): Toss Up
TX-35 (Open (Casar)): Toss Up
TX-34 (Gonzalez): Lean D
TX-28 (Cuellar): Likely D
TX-23 (Vacant): Lean R
TX-09 (Open (Green)): Likely R

Sources: Cook Political Report House ratings, Nov. 2, 2026

What else to know

Texas used a new congressional map, enacted in August 2025, for the first time this year. See our redistricting explainer.

Latest Texas election headlines

How Hinojosa’s win in Texas could bite Beshear 1 outlet Nov 8, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
James Talarico wasn’t the only Democratic candidate to campaign around Christian faith in the midterm elections 1 outlet Nov 8, 2026, 9:59 AM ET
Behind the Curtain: Texas is the #1 story of America 1 outlet Nov 8, 2026, 9:18 AM ET
Josh Shapiro says Texas won't replace Pennsylvania as the 'ultimate swing state' 2 outlets Nov 8, 2026, 9:00 AM ET
Texas, Iowa, Georgia brace for new education fights under Democratic governors 1 outlet Nov 8, 2026, 6:12 AM ET
James Talarico kicks off ‘SNL’ days after historic Texas Senate win 3 outlets Nov 8, 2026, 1:09 AM ET
Texas's 'Blue Tsunami' has former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke 'over the moon' 1 outlet Nov 7, 2026, 5:12 PM ET
Justice Department Intervenes in Planned Parenthood Lawsuit in Texas 1 outlet Nov 7, 2026, 12:54 PM ET
Border shift: Hispanic voters drive Texas' historic flip to blue 1 outlet Nov 7, 2026, 7:41 AM ET
Democrats Took Over Texas. What Now? 3 outlets Nov 6, 2026, 6:27 PM ET
What to know about Gina Hinojosa, Texas' first Latina governor-elect 1 outlet Nov 6, 2026, 5:26 PM ET
Texas mayor instructs police to limit co-operation with ICE 4 outlets Nov 6, 2026, 2:29 PM ET

All Texas stories →