Texas voters are casting ballots Tuesday in a series of House primary runoffs that will settle several contentious nomination battles, including a rematch in the Dallas-area 33rd Congressional District and a member-on-member showdown in Houston.
In the 33rd District’s Democratic primary, former Rep. Colin Allred is challenging Rep. Julie Johnson, who succeeded him after he vacated the seat for an unsuccessful Senate bid. Allred, who lost a Senate primary to incumbent John Cornyn earlier this year, is seeking a return to the House. Johnson, first elected in 2022, has the advantage of incumbency but faces a well-known opponent. The race has drawn attention as a test of whether Allred can reclaim his old seat or whether Johnson consolidates her hold on the district.
Meanwhile, in Houston’s 18th Congressional District, two Democratic incumbents—Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee—are pitted against each other after Texas Republicans redrew congressional lines last year, forcing the member-on-member matchup. Green, a veteran lawmaker first elected in 2004, faces Menefee, who won a special election in 2023. The contest has become a bitter intraparty fight, with both candidates touting their progressive credentials and accusing the other of being out of step with the district.
A third runoff in the 35th Congressional District’s Democratic primary has garnered national attention after candidate Maureen Galindo, a sex therapist, was condemned by party leaders for what they described as antisemitic remarks. Galindo is facing Johnny Garcia, a deputy sheriff, who has focused on local issues and law enforcement. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has distanced itself from Galindo, who has blamed media coverage for the furor. The race has become a flashpoint in the party’s internal debates over messaging and tolerance.
On the Republican side, Jon Bonck and Shelly deZevallos are competing for the GOP nomination to succeed outgoing Rep. Wesley Hunt in the 38th Congressional District, after Hunt lost a Senate primary bid this spring. In West Texas’s 19th District, Tom Sell and Abraham Enriquez are vying for the Republican nod to replace retiring Rep. Jodey Arrington. Both contests are seen as safe Republican seats in November, making the primary outcomes effectively determinative.
Early voting data showed a surge in turnout compared to typical runoffs, though it still lagged behind the March primary. Political analysts are watching these races for signs of broader trends, including the influence of former President Donald Trump’s endorsements and the ongoing realignment of Texas’s political landscape. The 18th District race, in particular, could signal how redistricting reshapes Democratic coalitions in urban areas.
Polls close at 8 p.m. EDT. Decision Desk HQ will provide live results and analysis. For ongoing coverage, see The Hill's Decision Desk 2026: Live Coverage of Texas Runoffs Kicks Off Tuesday. The Galindo controversy has also drawn national attention, as detailed in our report on her blaming the media.
