Texas' 8th Congressional District election, 2026

Texas redrew its congressional district boundaries in August 2025. Voters will elect representatives under the new map in 2026. Click here to read more about mid-decade redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.

← 2024
Texas' 8th Congressional District
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: December 8, 2025
Primary: March 3, 2026 Primary runoff: May 26, 2026 General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Texas
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
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All U.S. House districts, including the 8th Congressional District of Texas, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. The primary is March 3, 2026, and a primary runoff is May 26, 2026. The filing deadline was December 8, 2025. For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

• Texas' 8th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary)
• Texas' 8th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

Candidates and election results

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

Keith Coleman and Laura Jones are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Keith Coleman
		Laura Jones

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Jay Fondren
		Brett Jensen
		Stephen Long
		Jessica Steinmann
		Nick Tran
		Deddrick Wilmer

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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March 3 Republican Primary

See also: Texas' 8th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

Ballotpedia identified the March 3, 2026, Republican primary as a battleground primary. For more on the Republican primary, click here. For more on the Democratic primary, click here.

Six candidates are running in the Republican primary for Texas' 8th Congressional District on March 3, 2026. Two candidates lead in media attention and endorsements: Jessica Steinmann (R) and Nick Tran (R).

Incumbent Morgan Luttrell (R) is not running for re-election. For a list of U.S. Representatives who are not running for re-election in 2026, click here. The last time this district was open was 2022, when Luttrell was first elected.

Steinmann is an attorney and works as general counsel for the America First Policy Institute. She served as Director of the Office of Victims of Crime in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from 2020 to 2021 and previously worked for the office of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and the Texas House of Representatives. Steinmann says she would focus on family-related policies, highlighting her work in the DOJ addressing human trafficking and her litigation requiring transgender athletes to participate in sports based on their sex. Steinmann is campaigning on her legal experience, saying she has "led the charge in conservative fights" through litigation. Highlighting President Donald Trump (R) appointing her to the DOJ, Steinmann says she supports Trump’s policies and has "stood shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump and the America First movement." Cruz, Luttrell, and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) endorsed Steinmann.

Tran is a small business owner and U.S. Army veteran. Tran says he would focus on economic growth and reducing the cost of living by decreasing small business regulations, lowering taxes, and reducing federal spending. Highlighting his career experience in the energy industry, he also says he would promote oil and gas production to improve the economy. Tran says he would improve public safety by increasing funding for border patrol and law enforcement, as well as by "staunchly oppos[ing] legislation that restricts our right to bear arms." Tran is campaigning on his military service and says he would "create a system that honors our veterans, empowers them to succeed, and ensures that no one who served this great nation is left behind." Former Republican Party of Texas chair Allen West (R) and Veterans for America First endorsed Tran.

Also running in the primary are Jay Fondren (R), Brett Jensen (R), Stephen Long (R), and Deddrick Wilmer (R).

As of November 2025, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball each rated the general election Safe/Solid Republican. Luttrell won re-election in 2024 with 68% of the vote.

Texas conducted redistricting between the 2024 and 2026 elections. As a result, district lines in this state changed. To review how redistricting took place in Texas, click here. For a list of all states that drew new district lines between 2024 and 2026, click here.

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Jay Fondren

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "My name is Jay Fondren, and I am running for Congress to serve the people of Texas District 8 with the same courage and conviction that shaped my life on the battlefield. I am a husband, a father of six, and a Veteran whose life was spared by the grace of God after being wounded in Iraq. That experience changed everything. It taught me that every breath is a gift, every moment is stewardship, and every calling is to be held with humility. For the last two decades, I have stood beside Warriors and families navigating the federal system—fighting for them, advocating for them, and helping them rebuild hope. I’ve lived firsthand what happens when government forgets who it serves. I’ve also seen the strength of local communities, churches, and families who step in where Washington falls short. I am not running to join the political class. I am running because our liberties are under pressure, our border is broken, our children’s future is at stake, and career politicians have lost touch with the people they represent. I believe public office is a season of sacrifice, not a pathway to power. And I believe Texans deserve a representative who answers to them—not to Washington, not to donors, not to party bosses. My commitment is simple: to honor God, defend liberty, serve with integrity, and stand for the people of Texas District 8 with a warrior’s resolve and a servant’s heart."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Servant Leadership, Not Career Politics Washington is full of people who treat public office like a ladder of privilege instead of a place of sacrifice. My life has never been about climbing—it's been about serving. From the battlefield to advocating for Veterans, I’ve learned that real leadership means showing up, listening, and putting others first. I’m not running to join the political class. I’m running because the people of this district deserve a representative who knows what service costs and who will carry that responsibility with humility, conviction, and courage.

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Protecting God-Given Liberty Our rights do not come from Washington—they come from the Lord who created us in His image. Government’s only legitimate role is to defend those freedoms, not manage every corner of our lives. When the federal government grows beyond its God-ordained limits, liberty shrinks, families weaken, and communities suffer. I am committed to restoring a proper balance—championing limited civil authority, safeguarding parental rights, defending life, protecting the rule of law, and ensuring that Texans live free, not under federal intrusion.

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Texas-First, Community-Focused Governance The strength of Texas District 8 is found in our families, churches, small businesses, ranches, timber, energy, and the countless neighbors who hold this community together. Decisions that shape our future should be made here, not dictated by distant agencies. I will work to secure our border, strengthen local economies, protect our natural resources, and return power back to where it belongs—our people. When Washington overreaches, Texans lose. When Texans lead, our communities flourish, our children thrive, and freedom endures.

Stephen Long

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "I am running for Congress in Texas’s 8th Congressional District because I want to help build a better future for our children and have the opportunity to serve my community. I believe my life experience and professional background can benefit our district at the federal level. I have lived in the Montgomery County area for more than 30 years and raised my family here. I spent my entire career in the oilfield services industry, where I was proud to take part in the American shale revolution while also gaining valuable international experience. Throughout my career, I worked both domestically and abroad, developing energy resources, managing complex projects, and navigating global markets. I grew up in Leon County, Texas, where I learned the value of hard work at an early age. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Industrial Technology, from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. As a long-time resident of Montgomery County and the parent of four children raised in this community, I understand the everyday challenges facing families in Texas’s 8th Congressional District. This background gives me a clear understanding of the needs of our neighbors and the practical concerns of working families. I am committed to bringing real-world experience, common-sense solutions, and responsible leadership to public service."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I consider myself a moderate conservative who believes in core American values such as hard work, honesty, and integrity. I support economic freedom and results-based policies, while also recognizing that some individuals face real disadvantages and may need additional support. Above all, I believe in striving to be the best version of ourselves, guided by thoughtful and measured compassion for others.

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I also believe our nation’s current financial practices are unsustainable. As a member of Congress, I would be a strong advocate for balancing the federal budget and reducing the national debt. Many economists warn that unchecked debt poses a serious risk to our children’s future. If we continue on our current path, future generations will bear the burden through fewer opportunities, higher taxes, and reduced economic stability.

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I support the current law on abortion as it currently stands. I am socially conservative on most other issues.

Jessica Steinmann

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Steinmann received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from Baylor University. At the time of the election, she worked as the general counsel for the America First Policy Institute. She served as Director of the Office of Victims of Crime in the U.S. Department of Justice from 2020 to 2021. She previously worked for the office of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas House of Representatives, and the Harris County Republican Party.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Steinmann highlighted her legal experience as qualifying her for the office, saying she “led the charge in conservative fights.” She said, “From the courtroom to the Department of Justice, I have spent my life defending what makes this country great.”

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Steinmann said she would focus on family-related policies and would “defend parental rights, protect children from radical agendas, and keep Texas a stronghold for faith, freedom, and traditional values.” She highlighted her work combating human trafficking and requiring transgender athletes to participate in sports based on their sex.

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Steinmann said she would focus on election security. She highlighted her experience in election legislation and said she “helped draft Texas’s landmark election integrity law, which drew national attention” and “led lawsuits across the nation to protect election integrity.”

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Steinmann said her appointment to the Department of Justice by President Trump highlighted her support of his agenda. She said, “I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump and the America First movement to secure our borders, defend our Constitution, and put American workers and families first.”

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Show sources

Sources: Jessica Steinmann 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed November 2, 2025; Jessica Steinmann 2026 campaign website, "Jessica Hart Steinmann Announces Run for Congress," September 12, 2025; LinkedIn, "Jessica Hart Steinmann," accessed November 2, 2025; 

Nick Tran

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Nick Tran is a Vietnam War refugee who escaped during the Fall of Saigon in April 1975. After enduring life in a refugee camp in Guam, he was granted political asylum and welcomed into the United States. Driven by a deep sense of gratitude to the Vietnam Veterans who fought for his freedom and to the nation that embraced him and his father during their darkest hour, Nick enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after high school, serving as a frontline soldier in Operation Desert Storm. Following his honorable discharge in 1991, Nick used his GI Bill to pursue a college education and embarked on a successful career in the corporate sector. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, reignited his desire to serve, prompting him to reenlist. In 2005, he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and later for Operation Iraqi Freedom. After 13 years of dedicated service, Nick transitioned to a career in the oil and gas industry. Nick founded and spearheaded a global veteran program to help empower veterans to successfully get back on their feet and reintegrate back into society. The program helped SLB win the Military Friendly Employer designation for eight consecutive years. In 2024, Nick left the oil and gas industry to pursue entrepreneurship. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Trident University International and a PLDA from Harvard Business School. Nick is married to Valarie Tran and has two young children, Miles and Genevieve."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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SAFER: "I am dedicated to making Texas safer by supporting law enforcement, strengthening border security, and ensuring our communities are protected from crime and violence. I strongly support the Second Amendment: the only common sense gun law has already been written; it's called the 2A. It exists to keep the government in check, not its citizens."

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MORE PROSPEROUS: "I am committed to working tirelessly to cultivate a robust economy that benefits every Texan. My focus will be on promoting job growth, supporting small businesses, and advocating for forward-thinking policies that foster innovation and attract investment in our great state. Drawing from my extensive experience in the oil and gas industry and in running a business, I firmly believe in the importance of America’s energy independence. My background in managing a profit and loss statement has equipped me with a strong understanding of financial literacy and the principles of responsible spending. This knowledge will guide my efforts to ensure that our economy not only survives but thrives, creating a prosperous future.

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I have been a warrior all my life, and I am choosing to return to the fray to serve the only country to which I pledge allegiance and the one I love. I am not a career politician; I am a husband, father, combat veteran, and small business owner, and I am running to serve once more. To affirm my commitment, I offer the following pledges: 1. I will donate one-third of my salary to veteran causes and nonprofits dedicated to our heroes. 2. I will serve only two terms, as I believe in limiting the benefits associated with a congressional career. This commitment allows me to serve without adding an extra burden on taxpayers, as I already receive VA benefits for my service in three separate wars.

See more

See more here: Texas' 8th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

• Polls
• Campaign finance
• Satellite spending
• Endorsements
• Campaign ads

Candidate profiles

There are currently no candidate profiles created for this race. Candidate profiles will appear here as they are created. Encourage the candidates in this race to complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey so that their profile will appear here.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Texas

Election information in Texas: March 3, 2026, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: Feb. 2, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by Feb. 2, 2026
• Online: N/A

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

No

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: Feb. 20, 2026
• By mail: Received by Feb. 20, 2026
• Online: N/A

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: March 3, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by March 3, 2026

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

Feb. 17, 2026 to Feb. 27, 2026

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CT/MT)

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

No candidate in this race has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Keith Coleman	Democratic Party	$5,027	$3,798	$1,229	As of December 31, 2025
Laura Jones	Democratic Party	$7,622	$6,753	$3,370	As of December 31, 2025
Jay Fondren	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Brett Jensen	Republican Party	$1,612,229	$1,199,189	$413,040	As of December 31, 2025
Stephen Long	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Jessica Steinmann	Republican Party	$879,105	$198,046	$681,059	As of December 31, 2025
Nick Tran	Republican Party	$170,450	$168,498	$1,952	As of December 31, 2025
Deddrick Wilmer	Republican Party	$46,032	$30,582	$15,450	As of December 31, 2025
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Texas' 8th Congressional District election, 2026
Race tracker	Race ratings
	2/10/2026	2/3/2026	1/27/2026	1/20/2026
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican
Decision Desk HQ and The Hill	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Republican	Safe Republican	Safe Republican	Safe Republican
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Texas in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Texas, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2026
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Texas	U.S. House	Democratic or Republican	2% of votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less	$3,125	12/8/2025	Source
Texas	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	5% of all votes cast for governor in the district in the last election, or 500, whichever is less	N/A	12/8/2025	Source

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

• 2024
• 2022
• 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 8

Incumbent Morgan Luttrell (R) defeated Laura Jones (D) in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 8 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Morgan Luttrell (R)	68.2	233,423
		Laura Jones (D)	31.8	108,754

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 342,177
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

Laura Jones (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Laura Jones	100.0	14,390

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,390
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

Incumbent Morgan Luttrell (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Morgan Luttrell	100.0	69,419

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 69,419
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 8

No candidate advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 23, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Chase Cameron

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 8

Morgan Luttrell (R) defeated Laura Jones (D) and Roy Eriksen (L) in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 8 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Morgan Luttrell (R)	68.1	153,127
		Laura Jones (D)	30.5	68,715
		Roy Eriksen (L)	1.4	3,126

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 224,968
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

Laura Jones (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Laura Jones	100.0	14,496

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,496
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Morgan Luttrell	52.1	34,271
		Christian Collins	22.3	14,659
		Jonathan Hullihan	12.6	8,296
		Dan McKaughan	2.4	1,585
		Jessica Wellington	2.4	1,550
		Candice C. Burrows	2.3	1,519
	Submit photo	Chuck Montgomery	1.8	1,169
		Mike Philips	1.3	871
		Jonathan Mitchell	1.2	791
		Betsy Bates	1.1	712
	Submit photo	Taylor Whichard	0.4	295

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 65,718
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Salvador Gallegos (R)
• Ryan Jarchow (R)
• Adrian Kaiser (R)
• Christopher Revis (R)

Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 8

Roy Eriksen (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 19, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Roy Eriksen

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for U.S. House Texas District 8

Incumbent Kevin Brady (R) defeated Elizabeth Hernandez (D) and Chris Duncan (L) in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Brady (R)	72.5	277,327
		Elizabeth Hernandez (D)	25.5	97,409
		Chris Duncan (L)	2.0	7,735

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 382,471
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

Elizabeth Hernandez (D) defeated Laura Jones (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elizabeth Hernandez	59.8	18,660
		Laura Jones	40.2	12,519

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 31,179
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jacob Osborne (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8

Incumbent Kevin Brady (R) defeated Kirk Osborn (R) and Melissa Esparza-Mathis (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Brady	80.7	75,044
		Kirk Osborn	16.2	15,048
	Submit photo	Melissa Esparza-Mathis	3.1	2,860

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 92,952
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Texas District 8

Chris Duncan (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for U.S. House Texas District 8 on March 21, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Chris Duncan

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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District analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.

• District map - A map of the district before and after redistricting ahead of the 2026 election.
• Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2026 U.S. House elections in the state.
• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
• State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.

• District map
• Competitiveness
• Presidential elections
• State party control

Below is the district map used in the 2024 election next to the map in place for the 2026 election. Click on a map below to enlarge it.

2024

2026

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2026

This section contains data on U.S. House primary election competitiveness in Texas.

Post-filing deadline analysis

The following analysis covers all U.S. House districts up for election in Texas in 2026. Information below was calculated on Dec. 8, 2025, and may differ from information shown in the table above due to candidate replacements and withdrawals after that time.

Two hundred fifty-two candidates — 98 Democrats and 154 Republicans — ran for Texas’ 38 U.S. House districts. That’s 6.6 candidates per district. There were 4.2 candidates per district in 2024, 5.8 in 2022, 6.4 in 2020, 5.9 in 2018, 3.5 in 2016, and 2.8 in 2014.

These were the first elections to take place since the Texas Legislature passed a new congressional map. The Texas House of Representatives passed it on Aug. 20, 2025, and the Texas Senate passed it on Aug. 23, 2025. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed the new congressional map into law on Aug. 29, 2025.

This was the highest total number of candidates who ran for the U.S. House since 2014.

Ten districts were open in 2026. There were three districts open in 2024, six in 2022, six in 2020, eight in 2018, two in 2016, and one in 2014. 

Reps. Morgan Luttrell (R-8th), Michael McCaul (R-10th), Jodey Arrington (R-19th), Troy Nehls (R-22nd), Marc Veasey (D-33rd), and Lloyd Doggett (D-37th) retired from public office. Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-30th) and Wesley Hunt (R-38th) ran for the U.S. Senate. Rep. Chip Roy (R-21st) ran for attorney general of Texas.

Two incumbents — Reps. Christian Menefee (D) and Al Green (D) — ran against each other in the redrawn 18th district. Menefee was the incumbent in the 18th district, and Green was the incumbent in the 9th district.

Fifty-nine primaries — 32 Democratic and 28 Republican — were contested in 2026. In total, there were 39 contested primaries in 2024, 44 in 2022, 50 in 2020, 46 in 2018, 33 in 2016, and 19 in 2014.

Fifteen candidates ran for the open 9th district, 21st district, and 35th district, tying for the most candidates running for a district in 2026.

Nineteen incumbents — eight Democrats and 11 Republicans — faced primary challengers in 2026. There were 19 incumbents in a contested primary in 2024, 19 in 2022, 18 in 2020, 15 in 2018, 19 in 2016, and 12 in 2014.

Candidates filed to run in the Republican and Democratic primaries in all 38 districts, meaning no districts were guaranteed to either party.

Partisan Voter Index

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+16. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 16 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Texas' 8th the 61st most Republican district nationally.

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2024 presidential election was in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by The Downballot.

2024 presidential results in Texas' 8th Congressional District

Kamala Harris	Donald Trump
39.3%	58.8%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Texas, 2024

Texas presidential election results (1900-2024)

• 16 Democratic wins
• 15 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020	2024
Winning Party	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

See also: Party control of Texas state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Texas' congressional delegation as of October 2025.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Texas
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	0	12	12
Republican	2	25	27
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	1	1
Total	2	38	40

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Texas' top four state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Texas, October 2025

Office	Officeholder
Governor	Greg Abbott
Lieutenant Governor	Dan Patrick
Secretary of State	Jane Nelson
Attorney General	Ken Paxton

State legislature

Texas State Senate

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	11
	Republican Party	18
	Other	0
	Vacancies	2
Total		31

Texas House of Representatives

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	62
	Republican Party	88
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		150

Trifecta control

Texas Party Control: 1992-2025
Three years of Democratic trifectas  •  Twenty-three years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

See also

Texas	2026 primaries	2026 U.S. Congress elections
Texas congressional delegation Voting in Texas Texas elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

External links

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Texas' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

John Cornyn (R)

Ted Cruz (R)

Representatives

District 1

Nathaniel Moran (R)

District 2

Daniel Crenshaw (R)

District 3

Keith Self (R)

District 4

Pat Fallon (R)

District 5

Lance Gooden (R)

District 6

Jake Ellzey (R)

District 7

Lizzie Fletcher (D)

District 8

Morgan Luttrell (R)

District 9

Al Green (D)

District 10

Michael McCaul (R)

District 11

August Pfluger (R)

District 12

Craig Goldman (R)

District 13

Ronny Jackson (R)

District 14

Randy Weber (R)

District 15

Monica De La Cruz (R)

District 16

Veronica Escobar (D)

District 17

Pete Sessions (R)

District 18

Christian Menefee (D)

District 19

Jodey Arrington (R)

District 20

Joaquin Castro (D)

District 21

Chip Roy (R)

District 22

Troy Nehls (R)

District 23

Tony Gonzales (R)

District 24

Beth Van Duyne (R)

District 25

Roger Williams (R)

District 26

Brandon Gill (R)

District 27

Michael Cloud (R)

District 28

Henry Cuellar (D)

District 29

Sylvia Garcia (D)

District 30

Jasmine Crockett (D)

District 31

John Carter (R)

District 32

Julie Johnson (D)

District 33

Marc Veasey (D)

District 34

Vicente Gonzalez (D)

District 35

Greg Casar (D)

District 36

Brian Babin (R)

District 37

Lloyd Doggett (D)

District 38

Wesley Hunt (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (13)

2025-2026 Elections to the United States Congress

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Election information

Ballot access for major and minor party candidates • List of candidates running for election • List of congressional challengers • Retiring senators • Retiring representatives

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Super PACs/Organizations

American Bridge 21st Century • American Crossroads • American Unity PAC • Campaign for Primary Accountability • Club for Growth Action • Congressional Leadership Fund • Cooperative of American Physicians IE Committee• Crossroads Generation • Ending Spending Action Fund • Endorse Liberty • Fair Share Action • FreedomWorks for America • Government Integrity Fund • House Majority PAC • Independence USA Fund • League of Conservation Voters • Liberty for All PAC • Majority PAC • National Association of Realtors • NEA Advocacy Fund • Now or Never PAC • Planned Parenthood Votes • Ready for Hillary • Republicans for a Prosperous America • Restore America's Voice PAC • SEIU Pea-Federal • Women Vote!

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