The biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026
The Texas Tribune••nation
Key Points:
- In 2025, Texas politics saw significant activity, including Gov. Greg Abbott passing a private school voucher program, Republicans enacting stricter bail laws and land sale bans, and bipartisan efforts to improve flood response after deadly Hill Country floods.
- The 2026 Senate race is highly competitive, with incumbent Sen. John Cornyn facing challenges from Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in a contentious Republican primary, while Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico vie for a rare statewide win.
- The Texas attorney general race is open as Ken Paxton runs for Senate, with four Republicans and three Democrats competing to lead the office known for advancing conservative legal goals and engaging in high-profile litigation.
- Latino voters in
