Midterms 2026: Key Primaries in North Carolina and Texas

The 2026 midterm election season is officially underway, and voters in North Carolina and Texas will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 7th, for the first major primary contests. These key battleground states will offer an early glimpse into the issues and narratives that could dominate the midterm cycle. Voters in both states will select nominees for a variety of federal, state, and local offices, setting the stage for highly consequential general election races later this year.

In North Carolina, the marquee race is the contest for the state's open U.S. Senate seat, with a crowded field of candidates vying to succeed the retiring Richard Burr. On the Republican side, the frontrunners include U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, and Pat McCrory, the former governor. The Democratic primary features Cheri Beasley, the former chief justice of the state's Supreme Court, as the favorite. Control of the Senate could hinge on the outcome in North Carolina, making this one of the most closely watched and hard-fought Senate races in the country.

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In Texas, the main event is the gubernatorial primary, where incumbent Republican Greg Abbott faces challenges from the right, including from former U.S. Rep. Allen West and former state Sen. Don Huffines. On the Democratic side, Beto O'Rourke, the former U.S. Representative and 2020 presidential candidate, is the favorite to take on Abbott in the general election. The Texas governor's race will be another crucial battleground, as Democrats seek to make inroads in a state that has been solidly Republican for decades.

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Beyond the marquee races, voters in both states will also select nominees for the U.S. House, state legislatures, and a variety of down-ballot offices. These down-ballot races can have significant impacts on issues like education, infrastructure, and social policies at the state and local levels.

While the 2026 midterms are still months away, the primaries in North Carolina and Texas will offer an early gauge of the political landscape and the key issues motivating voters. Political analysts will be closely watching these contests for signs of broader trends and shifts that could shape the remainder of the election cycle.

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Ultimately, the outcomes in North Carolina and Texas will have far-reaching implications, not just for the 2026 midterms, but for the balance of power in Washington and state capitals across the country. As voters head to the polls, they'll be making choices that could reverberate for years to come.