Turnout in the Texas Democratic primary reached record highs statewide and across North Texas, driven by a competitive Senate race.
More than 2.3 million voted as the Jasmine Crockett–James Talarico contest energized Democrats, though GOP still dominates statewide general elections.An empty bag used to hold Democratic Primary election provisional ballots at the Dallas County Elections Operations Facility on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Dallas.
More than 2.3 million voted in the Democratic primary, the party’s highest turnout since at least 2000. It also marked the first time since 2008 that Democratic participation exceeded Republican turnout, which came in just under 2.2 million votes. Several forces converged to boost the Democratic tally, keyed by the competitive match between U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico, who won the nomination. Both raised substantial money and campaigned aggressively. On the Republican side, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton finished at the top but neither gained a majority, sending them to a May runoff.Democratic turnout also was buoyed by unusually full ballots in many counties, with the party fielding candidates across more local and legislative races than in recent cycles.That broader slate gave voters more reasons to show up while county parties try to rebuild infrastructure ahead of November, analysts said. Still, they said a primary vote spike does not necessarily translate into general election victories. Republicans dominate Texas politics, and Democrats haven’t won statewide in more than 30 years.Democrats cast more ballots than in any primary in the past decade, topping 279,000 votes, more than twice as the GOP’s almost 104,000.In Kaufman and Ellis counties, Democratic voting also reached its highest level in 10 years. Republican totals remained higher. Express Vote machines used for Democrat Primary Election Day voting at the Dallas County Elections Operations Facility on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Dallas.“Those choices … resulted in enthusiasm and people wanting to cast a vote, people wanting to be involved,” he said. Collin County GOP chair Byron Henry said the numbers do not indicate trouble for his party, though Republicans should expect some tight races.Express Vote machines holders used for Republican Primary Election Day voting at the Dallas County Elections Operations Facility on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Dallas.Because large urban counties tend to vote Democratic and rural areas lean Republican, suburban counties such as Collin could play an outsized role this fall. “There is this creeping purple out into the suburbs,” said Cal Jillson, a political scientist at SMU. “And if a particular election cycle aggravates that in a Democrat direction, it’s possible to win a statewide race in Texas.”
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