Key Republican races remain undecided after the March primary
With the May 2 municipal elections now complete, voters in Terry County and across Texas will return to the polls one more time before the end of the month. The Texas Primary Runoff Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and will determine the Republican nominees in several races where no candidate received a majority in the March primary.
Early voting for the runoff election will take place from May 18 through May 22, giving voters a limited window to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. As is standard in Texas runoff elections, voters who participated in the March primary must vote in the same party’s runoff.
Locally, Terry County voters will decide the Republican nominee for Commissioner Precinct 4. Michael Dawson and Elvis Rodriguez advanced to the runoff after a three-candidate race in March, with incumbent Ernesto Elizardo failing to secure a majority. The outcome of this race will determine who the Precinct 4 Commissioner Elect is, since there is opposition in the November general election.
At the federal level, voters in West Texas will also weigh in on the Republican Primary Runoff for U.S. Congressional District 19. Tom Sell and Abraham Enriquez will face off after both candidates emerged from a crowded primary field. The district covers a large portion of West Texas, making this race one of regional importance.
Several high-profile statewide races will also be decided in the runoff. In the Republican Primary Runoff for U.S. Senate, incumbent John Cornyn will face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a closely watched contest that has drawn attention across the state and the nation.
The race for Texas Attorney General will also be on the ballot, with Mayes Middleton and Chip Roy competing for the Republican nomination in an open-seat contest. The outcome will determine who advances to the general election for one of the state’s top legal positions.
Voters will also decide the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, a position that plays a major role in regulating the state’s oil and gas industry. Incumbent Jim Wright will face Bo French in that runoff.
While runoff elections traditionally see lower voter turnout, they play a critical role in determining which candidates advance to the November general election. With key decisions to be made at the local, regional, and statewide levels, the May 26 runoff represents the final step in shaping the ballot ahead of the fall election season.