Chaos, Candidates, and the Fight for Texas Republicans

On this week’s episode of Party Politics and part two of a conversation about upcoming primaries, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina examine growing turbulence inside the Texas Republican Party as the state heads toward another high-stakes election season. With multiple open races, crowded fields, and deep ideological divisions, the primaries may do more than choose nominees — they could shape the party’s future. Republicans remain dominant statewide, but shifting demographics, softer support among independents, and internal conflict pose new challenges. Former President Donald Trump’s standing in Texas has weakened, and GOP candidates now face primaries driven by debates over loyalty, ideology, and electability. At the top of the ballot, Senator John Cornyn faces challenges from Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. Paxton retains strong MAGA support despite legal controversies, while Hunt pitches himself as a new-generation conservative. Analysts expect a runoff. Paxton’s Senate bid also opens the attorney general’s race, with Joan Huffman, Mayes Middleton, Aaron Reitz, and Chip Roy competing to define the office’s future. Other key contests include the open race for comptroller, with Kelly Hancock, Christi Craddick, and Don Huffines vying for the GOP nomination, while Democrat Sarah Eckhardt runs statewide. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller faces challenger Nate Sheets, highlighting broader debates over rural policy. Houston-area congressional races are also in focus. In District 9, a crowded Republican primary includes Briscoe Cain, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, and Steve Stockman. In District 2, incumbent Dan Crenshaw faces a conservative challenge from Steve Toth. Together, the races reflect a party still strong — but increasingly divided — heading into 2026. TEXAS TOPICS:Chaos in the Republican Party.Candidates in the Texas Senate Race.Texas Attorney General candidates.Comptroller candidates.Agriculture Commissioner candidates.Congressional District 9 candidates.Congressional District 2 candidates.In addition to YouTube, Party Politics airs every Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CT on Houston Public Media TV-8 (PBS), or listen every Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on News 88.7. The audio podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts).

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Chaos, Candidates, and the Fight for Texas Republicans is an episode from Party Politics by Houston Public Media.

This episode is 26:46 long.

This episode was published on Jan 26, 2026.

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