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United States Senate election in Texas, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)
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← 2020
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| U.S. Senate, Texas |
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| Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: December 8, 2025 |
| Primary: March 3, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Race ratings |
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Likely Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely Republican |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th • 15th • 16th • 17th • 18th • 19th • 20th • 21st • 22nd • 23rd • 24th • 25th • 26th • 27th • 28th • 29th • 30th • 31st • 32nd • 33rd • 34th • 35th • 36th • 37th • 38th Texas elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 |
A Republican Party primary takes place on March 3, 2026, in Texas to determine which Republican candidate will run in the state's general election on November 3, 2026.
| Candidate filing deadline | Primary election | General election |
|---|---|---|
Heading into the election, the incumbent is John Cornyn (Republican), who was first elected in 2002.
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Texas utilizes an open primary system. Voters do not have to register with a party in advance in order to participate in that party's primary. The voter must sign a pledge stating the following (the language below is taken directly from state statutes)[1]
| “ | The following pledge shall be placed on the primary election ballot above the listing of candidates' names: 'I am a (insert appropriate political party) and understand that I am ineligible to vote or participate in another political party's primary election or convention during this voting year.'[2] | ” |
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
This page focuses on Texas' United States Senate Republican primary. For more in-depth information on the state's Democratic primary and the general election, see the following pages:
- United States Senate election in Texas, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary)
- United States Senate election in Texas, 2026
Candidates and election results
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
- Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
- Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. Senate Texas
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Texas on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | John Cornyn | |
 | Andrew Alvarez | |
 | Virgil Bierschwale  | |
 | Alexander Duncan | |
| Ronald Evans | ||
| Matthew Elliot Kelley | ||
 | Gulrez Khan | |
 | Rennie Mann | |
 | Barrett McNabb | |
 | Ken Paxton | |
 | Tony Schmoker | |
| Leo Wyatt | ||
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
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.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I'm a software developer and Navy Veteran. Worked all my life and suddenly in 2003 I was deemed overqualified and could no longer find work. Since then I have watched it grow worse yearly. Essentially we import more nonimmigrant workers than we create jobs for. I believe Americans should come first in America. Nobody, whether it be the incumbent, or anyone campaigining to replace him, are discussing jobs. How can they not discuss this when more and more of our college graduates are finding it impossible to find good paying jobs?"
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am a proud conservative, a devoted Christian, and a dedicated servant to the people. With 12 years of service as a police officer, I have firsthand experience protecting communities, upholding the law, and navigating the challenges facing everyday Americans. I grew up in a working-class family, with a father who served as a police officer and a stay-at-home mom who instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, and faith. These values shaped my life and my unwavering belief in Faith, Family, and Freedom. I earned my education in International Relations and Public Policy, equipping me with the knowledge and skills to tackle the complex issues facing our state and nation. As a lifelong devout conservative, I have always put God first and fought for the values that make America strong. I’m married to my incredible wife, and together, we are raising our two young children with a commitment to faith and family. Relocating to Texas from California was a pivotal decision for our family. Texas stands as the last great hope for America—a state that abides by the Constitution, puts God at the center, and serves as a shining example for the entire nation. I am running for U.S. Senate to ensure Texas remains strong, prosperous, and free, and to fight for the principles that built this great state and country."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "A Bold Conservative Voice for the U.S. Senate An American Dream in Action Gulrez “Gus” Khan is a proud Indian-American, proven entrepreneur, and unapologetic conservative leader who has lived the American Dream through grit, faith, and service. Based in Lubbock, Texas, Gus has built businesses, created jobs, and uplifted underserved communities—all while championing the values that make this nation exceptional. Now, he’s bringing that Texas grit and America First vision to the U.S. Senate. A Healthcare Leader Who Delivers As Co-Owner of American Star Home Health & Hospice Care (ASHHC), Gus has helped transform healthcare access across West Texas. His work spans rural and underserved regions in Congressional Districts 13 and 19, Texas House Districts 83 and 84, and Texas Senate District 28. His mission? Deliver compassionate, top-quality care where it’s needed most—because every Texan deserves dignity and access to healthcare. Entrepreneur. Job Creator. Conservative Problem-Solver Founder of Gulrez Khan Management and strategic partner in ventures like Global Consultants of Texas and American Apps, Gus has proven that hard work and free-market principles are the engines of success. His entrepreneurial influence stretches across healthcare, tech, and sports—proving that Texas ingenuity can still lead the nation. Gus has fought tirelessly for conservative principles"
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "My name is Rennie Hill Mann, a native Texan born in 1972 in Waxahachie. After completing high school and college in Texas, I joined our family business, Mann Glass Concepts Inc. I learned my strong work ethic from my stepfather as I prepared to take over the management of Mann Glass Concepts after his passing. In 1994 I married my beautiful wife, Candy Clark. We have three children, and we live in Richland Springs. As a successful business owner and rancher, I served my communities in Forney and Richland Springs. I left each place I served better physically and financially. I plan to leverage my business and community skills as a U.S. Senator for the people of Texas. My strong commitment to God, Family, Texas and America are core beliefs. As Senator, I will do everything in my power, and those of the constitution, to protect and preserve those beliefs."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I grew up in rural Arkansas, where I was actively involved in growing our food and living the "country life" through camping, fishing, and hunting. During my youth, I significantly engaged in the local Toys for Tots program, organizing Christmas dinners and providing gifts to families in need. These experiences shaped my strong family values and my commitment to serving others, which I believe are essential for building strong, successful communities. I am married to my wonderful wife, Julia, who is an active member of our community, serving as a precinct chair and school board trustee. Together, we are raising our talented son, Sawyer, who is involved in club soccer, the Boy Scouts, and the school band. I am a member of several organizations, including the National Rifle Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Association of Realtors, and the Boy Scouts, all reflecting my values and commitment to community service. With over 23 years of experience as an Army veteran specializing in human resource management, I have developed expertise in the effective application of regulations and policies. I had the opportunity to travel globally, immersing myself in diverse cultures and broadening my perspective. Throughout my career, I have provided critical analysis and strategic advice to command-level leadership, influencing policies with far-reaching impacts. My recommendations consistently prioritize the human element, considering the ef"
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Texas
Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.
Campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Cornyn | Republican Party | $8,046,983 | $2,773,090 | $5,907,354 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Andrew Alvarez | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Virgil Bierschwale | Republican Party | $5,980 | $0 | $5,980 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Alexander Duncan | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Ronald Evans | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Matthew Elliot Kelley | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Gulrez Khan | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Rennie Mann | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Barrett McNabb | Republican Party | $215,163 | $36,392 | $178,771 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Ken Paxton | Republican Party | $2,908,591 | $391,140 | $2,517,451 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Tony Schmoker | Republican Party | $2,500 | $2,500 | $3,650 | As of June 30, 2025 |
| Leo Wyatt | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
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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." |
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Ballot access
This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.
See also
- United States Senate election in Texas, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary)
- United States Senate election in Texas, 2026
- United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2026
- United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2026
- United States Senate elections, 2026
- U.S. Senate battlegrounds, 2026
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Statutes, "Section 172.086," accessed October 7, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
