DALLAS — This roundup breaks down the May 26, 2026, primary runoff in North Texas, spotlighting the high-profile U.S. Senate duel between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, the congressional matchups in Districts 33, 30, 24 and 5, and what voters should expect when they check sample ballots across Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties. It names the major players voters need to know, including James Talarico, Julie Johnson, Colin Allred, Jasmine Crockett, Beth Van Duyne and Lance Gooden, and it points to the practical steps voters typically take before they walk into the booth.
The marquee contest is the statewide race to replace John Cornyn’s seat, now a binary choice between Cornyn and Ken Paxton for Republican voters. Both men have traded harsh attacks, even using AI-created ads that muddied the message, but party strategists keep pointing to Cornyn as the candidate most likely to hold the seat against Democrat James Talarico in November. For conservatives watching closely, the deciding factor will be where supporters of Wesley Hunt fall; their turnout and candidate choice could tilt the general election dynamics.
In the shapeshifted U.S. House District 33, Julie Johnson has shifted districts after redistricting and faces the challenge of defending a single term in a GOP-controlled Congress. Colin Allred, who once held the seat before a failed 2024 Senate bid, is back and hoping voters remember his prior service more than his statewide loss. On the Republican side, Patrick Gillespie and John Sims split the GOP vote in the primary and now need to sharpen their contrast on conservative priorities to energize voters for the runoff.
District 30 is up for grabs after Jasmine Crockett vacated the seat to run for Senate and did not prevail, leaving a competitive field that could reshape representation in parts of Dallas. The GOP contenders include U.S. Army veteran and attorney Sholdon Daniels, who touts service and legal experience, and Everett Jackson, a small business owner and community organizer pitching local roots. Democrats have already settled on Dallas Pastor Freddie Haynes as their nominee, which sets up a general election where turnout among suburban and urban voters will matter more than ever.
U.S. House District 24 looks more straightforward but still matters for control. Incumbent Beth Van Duyne was the only Republican to file in the Tarrant County seat, guaranteeing her the GOP line in November, while Democrats Kevin Burge and TJ Ware fight in a runoff to become the nominee. That Democratic contest will determine who tries to flip the conversation on kitchen-table issues, while Republicans hope Van Duyne’s incumbency and record reassure conservative voters about stability and security.
District 5 stretches into parts of Kaufman County and deeper into East Texas, and Rep. Lance Gooden remains the Republican standard-bearer on the ballot for November. The Democratic side is unresolved, with Chelsey Hockett and Ruth Torres squaring off in their runoff for the chance to challenge Gooden come November. For local Republicans, keeping this seat in conservative hands is about emphasizing border security, fiscal restraint and energy policies that favor Texas growth.
If you want to preview your ballot, most North Texas voters head to their county election pages to pull sample ballots and polling place info, and county clerks in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton publish those lists so you can plan your trip to the polls. The Secretary of State’s voter portal is commonly used to confirm registration and polling locations, but be sure to verify hours and any last-minute changes with your county election office. Local races and ballot items can differ by precinct, so a quick check prevents surprises on Election Day.
Practical voting questions come up a lot, like whether you can bring notes or a printed sample ballot into the booth. The usual guidance is yes, you can bring a printed sample or notes, but phones and electronic voting aids are generally not allowed in the polling place, so print what you need and follow local rules. If you’re uncertain, a quick call to your county elections office clears things up and avoids an awkward moment at the polling site.
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