2026 Texas Senate election
November 3, 2026
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16 of the 31 seats in the Texas Senate 16 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Map of the incumbents: Republican incumbent Democratic incumbent No election | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Texas |
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| Government |
Elections to the Texas Senate will be held concurrently to the 2026 Texas House of Representatives elections on November 3, 2026.[1]
Retirements
- District 3: Robert Nichols is retiring[2]
- District 4: Brandon Creighton resigned early to serve as Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System[3]
- District 11: Mayes Middleton is retiring to run for Attorney General[4]
- District 22: Brian Birdwell is retiring[5]
Special elections
As of July 2025, one special election is scheduled to fill an unexpired term.
2025 District 9 special election
Kelly Hancock resigned to become chief clerk of the Texas Comptroller's office in June 2025. A special election to serve the remainder of the term took place on November 4th, 2025.[6] Democratic candidate Taylor Rehmet received the most votes at 47.6%. He was followed by Republicans Leigh Wambsganss, 36%, and John Huffman, 16%.[7] Special elections in Texas require a candidate to receive a majority to win, so Rehmet and Wambsganss will head to a runoff election scheduled January 31, 2026.[8]
Declared Candidates
- John Huffman (Republican) former mayor of Southlake, Texas and candidate for Texas's 26th congressional district in 2024[9]
- Taylor Rehmet (Democratic) union president and veteran[10]
- Leigh Wambsganss (Republican) activist and Chief Communications Officer at Patriot Mobile[11][12]
Withdrawn
- Armin Mizani (Republican), mayor of Keller (running for Texas House District 98 in 2026)[13]
- Nate Schatzline (Republican), state representative from the 93rd district (endorsed Wambsganss)[14]
Endorsements
John Huffman (R)
State legislators
Mayors
- Mattie Parker, mayor of Fort Worth[16]
Organizations
- Fort Worth Police Officers Association[16]
Newspapers and publications
Taylor Rehmet (D)
State legislators
- Chris Turner, state representative from the 101st district[19]
- Nathan M. Johnson, state senator from the 16th district[20]
- Roland Gutierrez, state senator from the 19th district[21]
County officials
- Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County commissioner[19]
- Roderick Miles Jr., Tarrant County commissioner[19]
Organizations
Leigh Wambsganss (R)
Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[16]
Federal officials
- Ted Cruz, U.S. senator from Texas[16]
Statewide officials
State legislators
- Tan Parker, majority leader and state senator from the 12th district[26]
- Nate Schatzline, state representative from the 93rd district[27]
County officials
Notable individuals
- Chris McNutt, gun rights activist[26]
Organizations
2026 District 4 special election
Brandon Creighton resigned to serve as Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.[3] A special election is scheduled for May 2, 2026.[28]
Candidates
Declared
- Brett Ligon, Montgomery County District Attorney[28]
Endorsements
Brett Ligon (R)
Statewide officials
State legislators
- Brandon Creighton, former state senator from the 4th district[30]
Summary of results by district
† - Incumbent not seeking re-election
| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Bryan Hughes | Rep | ||||
| 2nd | Bob Hall | Rep | ||||
| 3rd | Robert Nichols† | Rep | ||||
| 4th | Vacant | N/A | ||||
| 5th | Charles Schwertner | Rep | ||||
| 9th | Vacant | N/A | ||||
| 11th | Mayes Middleton† | Rep | ||||
| 13th | Borris Miles | Dem | ||||
| 18th | Lois Kolkhorst | Rep | ||||
| 19th | Roland Gutierrez | Dem | ||||
| 21st | Judith Zaffirini | Dem | ||||
| 22nd | Brian Birdwell† | Rep | ||||
| 24th | Pete Flores | Rep | ||||
| 26th | Jose Menendez | Dem | ||||
| 28th | Charles Perry | Rep | ||||
| 31st | Kevin Sparks | Rep | ||||
Detailed results
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District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 9 • District 11 • District 13 • District 18 • District 19 • District 21 • District 22 • District 24 • District 26 • District 28 • District 31 |
District 1
Incumbent Republican Bryan Hughes is running for re-election.[31]
Republican primary
Declared
- Bryan Hughes, incumbent senator[31]
Democratic primary
Declared
- Laticia Ambroz[32]
District 2
Incumbent Republican Bob Hall is running for re-election.[33]
Republican primary
Declared
Democratic primary
Declared
- Keenan Colbert, logistics management professional[35]
- Jason K. Eddington, healthcare administrator [36]
District 3
Incumbent Republican Robert Nichols is retiring.[37]
Republican primary
Declared
- Trent Ashby, state representative from the 9th district (2013-present)[38]
- Rhonda Ward, State Republican Executive Committee member[39]
Democratic primary
- Bobby Tillman, self-employed[35]
District 4
Incumbent will be determined by the May 2, 2026 special election.
Republican primary
Declared
Democratic primary
Declared
- Ron Angeletti, educator[35]
District 5
Incumbent Republican Charles Schwertner is running for re-election.[40]
Republican primary
Declared
- Apollo Hernandez, former Recon Marine combat veteran and cybersecurity expert[35]
- Larry Nance[35]
- Charles Schwertner, incumbent senator[35]
Democratic primary
Declared
District 9
The incumbent will be determined in the January 31, 2026 special election runoff.[7]
Republican primary
Declared
- Leigh Wambsganss, activist and Chief Communications Officer at Patriot Mobile[35]
District 11
Incumbent Republican Mayes Middleton is retiring to run for Attorney General.[4]
Republican primary
Declared
- Dennis Paul, state representative from the 129th district (2015-present)[41]
Endorsements
Dennis Paul
- Statewide officials
- Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor (2015-present) [41]
Democratic primary
Declared
District 13
Incumbent Democrat Borris Miles is running for re-election.[35]
District 18
Incumbent Republican Lois Kolkhorst is running for re-election.
Republican primary
Declared
- Lois Kolkhorst, incumbent senator[35]
Democratic primary
Declared
- Erica Gillum, realtor[35]
District 19
Incumbent Democrat Roland Gutierrez is running for re-election.
Democratic primary
Declared
- Roland Gutierrez, incumbent senator[35]
Republican primary
Declared
- Marcus Cardenas, small business owner[35]
District 21
Incumbent Democrat Judith Zaffirini is running for re-election.
Democratic primary
Declared
- Judith Zaffirini, incumbent senator[35]
- Cortney Jones, social work[35]
District 22
Incumbent Republican Brian Birdwell is retiring.[5]
Republican primary
Declared
- David Cook, state representative from the 96th district (2021–present)[5]
- Jon Gimble, McLennan County District Clerk (2015–present)[35]
- Rena Schroeder, director of the Angel Wings Ranch[35]
Democratic primary
Declared
- Amy Martinez-Salas[35]
District 24
Incumbent Republican Pete Flores is running for re-election
Republican primary
Declared
- Pete Flores, incumbent Senator
Democratic primary
Declared
- Joe Herrera, 2024 Democratic nominee for Texas House District 53
District 26
Incumbent Democrat José Menéndez is running for re-election.
District 28
Incumbent Republican Charles Perry is running for re-election.
Republican primary
Declared
- Charles Perry, incumbent senator
Democratic primary
Declared
- Riley Rodriquez, self-employed[35]
District 31
Incumbent Republican Kevin Sparks is running for re-election.[42]
Republican primary
Declared
- Kevin Sparks, incumbent senator[42]
Democratic primary
Declared
- John Betancourt, Amarillo College regent[43]
Notes
See also
References
- ^ "Texas State Senate elections, 2026". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ Awtrey, Jeff (June 24, 2025). "Sen. Nichols announces he won't seek reelection; Ashby vying for position". KLTV. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "Texas Tech University System Regents Name Senator Brandon Creighton as Sole Finalist for Chancellor". Texas Tech University System. September 4, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Scherer, Jasper (May 15, 2025). "Sen. Mayes Middleton announces bid for Texas attorney general". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c Serrano, Alejandro (June 30, 2025). "GOP state Sen. Brian Birdwell says he won't seek reelection". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Atirikta (June 27, 2025). "Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election for open state Senate seat". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Guo, Kayla (November 6, 2025). "Democrats see promise for 2026 in Texas Senate near upset". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Abbott Sets Runoff Election For Texas Senate District 9". gov.texas.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ^ Roberts, Kim (August 1, 2025). "Texas Senate District 9 Special Election Candidates Speak on THC, Gambling, Top Priorities". The Texan. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Royster, Rachel (July 8, 2025). "North Texas mayor joins race for Fort Worth-area state Senate District 9". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "GOP Heavyweights Endorse Leigh Wambsganss For Texas Senate". Yahoo News. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ Bim, Mara Richards (June 2, 2025). "Leigh Wambsganss and the duplicity of Christian nationalist women". Baptist News Global. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ "Keller Mayor Armin Mizani pivots from Texas Senate to Texas House District campaign". WFAA News. July 23, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ "State Rep. Nate Schatzline drops Texas Senate bid, endorses conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss". June 24, 2025.
- ^ "Meet the candidates in the special election for Texas Senate District 9". CBS News. October 26, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Texas Senate District 9 special election pits Republicans against Democrat in Tarrant County". The Texas Tribune. November 4, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ Editorial Board (October 17, 2025). "Star-Telegram endorsement: Tarrant election to fill state Senate seat". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
- ^ Editorial Board (October 19, 2025). "We recommend in the race for Texas Senate District 9". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Tarrant voters weigh 2 Republicans, 1 Democrat for Texas Senate election". KERA News. November 4, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Texas Democratic Women event featuring Senator Nathan Johnson and Taylor Rehmet". Mobilize.us. October 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Senator Roland Gutierrez endorses Taylor Rehmet for Texas Senate". Lone Star Left. October 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club endorsements". Sierra Club. October 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Texas AFL-CIO COPE endorses union member Taylor Rehmet in SD-9 special election". Texas AFL–CIO. October 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Texas AFT COPE endorses Taylor Rehmet in special election for Texas Senate". Texas AFT. October 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "IAM Texas State Council endorses state council president for state Senate seat". International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. October 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "GOP heavyweights endorse Leigh Wambsganss for Texas Senate". Yahoo News. July 2, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline backs Republican in Tarrant County special election". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 20, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Serrano, Alejandro (October 16, 2025). "Abbott sets May special election for open Texas Senate seat". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ^ "May special election set for Senate District 4 after Brandon Creighton vacates seat". Community Impact. October 13, 2025. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ "May special election set for Senate District 4 after Brandon Creighton vacates seat". Community Impact. October 13, 2025. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Wellerman, Zak (June 23, 2025). "Sen. Bryan Hughes says he'll focus on Texas Senate, won't enter attorney general race". KYTX. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ "Laticia Ambroz announces candidacy for Texas State senate District 1". The Paris News. November 18, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Hall announces re-election bid for State Senator". Wills Point Chronicle. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "Jason Eddington announces candidacy for Texas Senate District 2". Rockwall Herald-Banner. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Candidate Information". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
- ^ M, Melanie (November 21, 2025). "Jason Eddington announces candidacy for Texas Senate District 2". Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ^ "Senator Robert Nichols won't seek another term". Palestineherald.com. June 24, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ TrentAshby.com (June 24, 2025). "Ashby announces candidacy for Texas Senate". The Lufkin Daily News. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Reports, From Staff (June 3, 2025). "Rhonda Ward to run for Texas Senate". The Daily Sentinel. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ Item, Special to The (June 10, 2025). "Dr. Charles Schwertner Announces for Re-Election to Texas Senate District 5". Itemonline.com. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Scherer, Jasper (May 8, 2025). "State Rep. Dennis Paul announces bid for Texas Senate with backing from Dan Patrick". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Cuviello, Michael (August 21, 2025). "Texas Senator Kevin Sparks launches reelection bid with Trump endorsement". Amarillo Globe News. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ Warren, Thomas (November 13, 2025). "AC Regent Betancourt Announces Texas Senate Bid". The Amarillo Pioneer. Retrieved December 9, 2025.