During the regular session, the legislature passed a number of bills to advance a conservative agenda. The session began, however, with the election of Dustin Burrows as Speaker of the House with the support of most Democrats and some Republicans, over more insurgent Republican David Cook.^[3]

Long a priority of the most conservative Republicans in the legislature, especially in the Senate, that had historically faced major hurdles in the more moderate House, the passage of school voucher legislation marked the most significant sign of the conservative shift of the chamber in recent years. In 2021, only 29 Republicans had voted in favor of vouchers. Greg Abbott began pushing the issue more strongly in 2022, gaining support from many incumbent Republicans and funding the primary challengers of those who still opposed it.^[4] By the time the measure came up for a vote in the 2025 regular session, only two Republicans, Gary VanDeaver and former Speaker Dade Phelan, voted against it, alongside all present Democrats.^[5] The bill allocates $1 billion of public funds for children to attend private schools or for their parents to homeschool them, prioritized based on income and disability.^[6] President Donald Trump, lent his support to the effort and endorsed all Republican legislators who voted in favor of the bill should they seek reelection.^[7][8]

Other conservative hallmarks related to education included requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, banning diversity, equity, and inclusion policies from public schools, and restricting free speech on college campuses in the wake of Gaza war protests at universities. Other new laws included the tightening of bail, restricting the rights of transgender people, easing access to vaccine exemption, and cutting property taxes.^[9] On a more bipartisan basis, the legislature passed bills to alleviate water supply issues, clarify medical exceptions in the state's abortion ban, and ease the construction of housing in amidst the state's growing housing crisis.^[10][11][12]

Tort reform legislation backed by the influential Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), failed due to opposition from the hardline wing of the Republican caucus.^[13]

Greg Abbott had already planned to call a special session to address legislation that did not pass in time during the regular session or that Abbott vetoed, such as a ban on THC products, as well as to address new issues such as deadly flooding in central Texas. At the request of President Donald Trump, Abbott added congressional redistricting to the agenda with the goal of flipping five Democratic-held U.S. House seats to the Republicans in the 2026 elections.^[14] In response, most House Democrats left the state on August 3 in order to prevent the establishment of a quorum in the chamber, blocking all legislative activity.^[15] The walkout lasted for the entire remaining duration of the first special session, after which Abbott immediately called a second one. Democrats returned to the chamber for the second session.^[16] The legislature passed new congressional maps shortly afterwards, and they later passed additional legislation to punish lawmakers who break quorum in the future.^[17][18]

In the 2024 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump won 96 districts, while Democrat Kamala Harris won 54 districts. Democrats now hold 8 districts in which Trump won, while Republicans hold no districts won by Harris. Republicans made massive gains across the historically-Democratic Rio Grande Valley region in 2024.^[19] Most of the Democratic-held districts won by Trump come from this region. Republicans have fielded candidates in 6 of these districts.

In January 2026, The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee released the party's target seat list which included five Republican held seats:^[20]

• District 34, which Denise Villalobos, R-Corpus Christi, flipped by 11 points
• District 37, which Janie Lopez, R-San Benito, won by 10 points
• District 112, which Angie Chen Button, R-Garland, won by 8 points
• District 118, an open seat that John Lujan, R-San Antonio, won by 3 points
• District 121, which Marc LaHood, R-San Antonio, won by 5 points

In June 2026, the list was expanded to 15 seats, including three Democratic held seats:^[21]

• District 41, an open seat that Robert Guerra, D-Mission, won by 7 points
• District 52, which Caroline Harris Davilla, R-Round Rock, won by 12 points
• District 61, which Keresa Richardson, R-McKinney, won by 19 points
• District 67, which Jeff Leach, R-Allen, won by 21 points
• District 70, which Mihaela Plesa, D-Dallas, won by 4 points
• District 74. which Eddie Morales, D-Eagle Pass, won by 3 points
• District 94, an open seat which Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, won by 11 points
• District 108, which Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, won by 15 points
• District 133, which Mano DeAyala, R-Houston, was uncontested
• District 138, which Lacy Hull, R-Houston, won by 14 points

13 Republicans and 7 Democrats have announced that they are retiring. Of these, 7 Republicans and 4 Democrats are running for another office.

1. District 1: Gary VanDeaver is retiring.^[23]
2. District 9: Trent Ashby is retiring to run for Texas Senate^[24]
3. District 15: Steve Toth is retiring to run for U.S. Congress 2nd District.^[25][26][27]
4. District 21: Dade Phelan is retiring^[28]
5. District 71: Stan Lambert is retiring^[29]
6. District 86: John Smithee is retiring.^[30]
7. District 94: Tony Tinderholt is retiring to run for Tarrant County Commissioners Court Precinct 2.^[31]
8. District 96: David Cook is retiring to run for Texas Senate.^[32]
9. District 98: Giovanni Capriglione is retiring.^[33]
10. District 118: John Lujan is retiring to run for U.S. Congress 35th District^[34]
11. District 126: Sam Harless is retiring.^[35]
12. District 128: Briscoe Cain is retiring to run for U.S. Congress 9th District^[36]
13. District 129: Dennis Paul is retiring to run for Texas Senate³⁷

Two incumbent Republicans and two incumbent Democrats lost re-nomination to a challenger in their respective primary elections.^[45][46]

In contrast to the 2024 primary, which saw millions of dollars poured into dozens of Republican primary races to oust opponents of school vouchers, the 2026 primary has seen a much smaller field dominated by different political forces. Unlike the right-wing donors who fueled the school voucher push, such as Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, more primary challengers this cycle have the backing of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a group which was instrumental in the Republican takeover of the state government in the 1990s and 2000s. Seen as a more establishment conservative organization, TLR's influence in the legislature has waned in recent years as the party has become more dominated by hardline conservatives. They are targeting lawmakers who led the defeat of prominent tort reform bills in the previous legislative session.^[48]

Very few incumbent legislators lost renomination compared to 2024, despite the substantial financial backing many challengers received. Two Republican challengers backed by billionaire Tim Dunn won, but no challengers backed by TLR or pro-casino groups defeated any incumbents. Former Democratic leader Chris Turner lost renomination in a major upset, while two other Democratic incumbents were forced into runoffs.^[45] In the runoff election, Democrat Hubert Vo lost renomination, but no other incumbents were defeated.^[49]

For the first time in several election cycles, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is putting significant funding into Texas House races in anticipation of a possible nationwide wave election. They initially targeted five Republican-held seats, focused in the Rio Grande Valley and the state's suburban areas, which Democrats have either lost or narrowed Republican margins in recent years.^[50] After Republicans nominated embattled attorney general Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate in the May runoff, the DLCC greatly expanded its target list to twelve Republican-held seats, the same number they flipped in the 2018 election, in anticipation of a more favorable electoral environment. The new targets are primarily suburban seats, especially in North Texas, that Donald Trump won by between six and fifteen percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.^[21]

† - Incumbent not seeking re-election
‡ - Incumbent defeated in primary

Incumbent Republican Gary VanDeaver is retiring.^[23] In 2024 VanDeaver faced and narrowly defeated an Abbott-backed primary challenger due to his opposition to the proposed school voucher legislation.^[57] Going into the 2025 legislative session, he voted against the proposed $1 billion school voucher program.^[58] As a result, on October 11, 2025, the Texas GOP issued a censure against VanDeaver, but stopped short of implementing newly adopted rules that would have barred VanDeaver from running in the Republican primary.^[59] Chris Spencer, who ran against VanDeaver in 2024, announced a campaign to succeed him. He faced businessman Josh Bray. During the campaign, Bray faced criticism for past donations to Democratic officials, including former state representative Mark Homer.^[60] Spencer, who was endorsed by governor Abbott, defeated Bray in the Republican primary by a 503 vote margin.^[61][62] Spencer will face Democrat Sean Huffman in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Brent Money is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Cecil Bell Jr ran for re-election.^[63] Bell was reprimanded by the Montgomery County Republican Party over his support of Dustin Burrows over David Cook for Speaker of the House during the previous legislative session.^[64] Bell lost in the Republican primary to Kristen Plaisance, who was backed by billionaire Tim Dunn.^[45]

Incumbent Republican Keith Bell is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Cole Hefner is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Daniel Alders is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Jay Dean is running for re-election.^[65] Dean has accused his opponent, Melissa Beckett, of wanting to eliminate the state's pension program for teachers, which Beckett has denied, filing a defamation lawsuit against Dean for the accusation.^[66]

Incumbent Republican Cody Harris is running for re-election.^[67] He defeated Daniel Hunt in the Republican Primary, with the two candidates sparring over water conservation and welling policy.^[68] Harris had sought during the previous legislative session to block the construction of new wells in East Texas.^[69] Harris will face Democrat Jeff Chavez in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Trent Ashby is retiring to run for Texas Senate, to replace retiring Senator Robert Nichols.^[24] Three candidates ran in the Republican primary to replace him, all running on platforms emphasizing the protection of water rights in East Texas. Ashby did not endorse any potential successor.^[70][71] Retired DPS Trooper Rocky Thigpen won the primary and will face Democrat Shelly Tatum in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Brian Harrison is running for re-election.^[72] Harrison defeated two opponents in the primary Matt Authier and Jon Gattett. He will face Democrat Michael Myers in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Joanne Shofner is running for re-election.^[63]

Incumbent Republican Trey Wharton is running for re-election.^[73]

Incumbent Republican Angelia Orr is running for re-election.^[74] On October 11, 2025, the Texas GOP issued a censure against Orr, but stopped short of implementing newly adopted rules that would have barred Orr from running in the Republican primary.^[59] Despite this, Orr has received endorsements from several state and national Republicans, including Greg Abbott, Donald Trump, and Ted Cruz. Challenger Kat Wall, campaigning on more locally-focused issues, was endorsed by five of the seven Republican county chairs in the district and received financial backing from billionaire Tim Dunn, but lost to Orr in the primary.^[45][75] Orr will face Democrat Albert Hunter in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Paul Dyson is running for re-election.^[73]

Incumbent Republican Steve Toth is retiring to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.^[25] Brad Bailey, township chair of The Woodlands, received the Republican nomination to replace him.^[76] Other candidates in the race include Democratic candidate Moniqua S. Scott and Jessi Cowart, the Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party of Texas^[77]

Incumbent Republican Will Metcalf is running for re-election.^[63] Metcalf was reprimanded by the Montgomery County Republican Party over his support of Dustin Burrows over David Cook for Speaker of the House during the previous legislative session.^[64] Metcalf won the Republican primary despite the reprimand and will face Democrat Bobby Clayton in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Stan Gerdes is running for re-election.^[63] In the Republican primary he defeated Tom Glass, who challenged him in the 2024 primary.^[78][79] Gerdes will face Democrat Mary Elizabeth Klenz in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Janis Holt is running for re-election.^[80]

Incumbent Republican Ellen Troxclair is running for re-election. Democrat Kelly Hall dropped out of the race in January to run for mayor of Round Rock, after the deadline to have his name removed from the ballot. Despite raising no money, spending no time campaigning and openly endorsing his opponent, Hall won the primary by a wide margin. Hall is attempting to withdraw from the race and allow the party to replace him with his opponent, Javi Andrade, but state election law makes that process difficult.^[81]

Incumbent Republican Terry Wilson he is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican former Speaker of the House Dade Phelan is retiring.^[28] On October 11, 2025, the Texas GOP issued a censure against Phelan, but stopped short of implementing newly adopted rules that would have barred Phelan from running in the Republican primary.^[59]

Incumbent Democrat Christian Manuel is running for re-election unopposed.^[82]

Incumbent Republican Terri Leo-Wilson is running for re-election. Her challenger in the Republican primary, Nathan Watkins, raised more than double Leo-Wilson's campaign funding, primarily from high-dollar donations from industries such as construction.^[83] Leo-Wilson accused Watkins of having a conflict of interest regarding his company's relationship with Barbers Hill ISD and plans to construct a luxury apartment complex. Watkins filed a defamation lawsuit against Leo-Wilson for her comments, which she filed a SLAPP motion to dismiss.^[84][85] Leo-Wilson won the primary and will face Democrat Cheryl Lynn Clark in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Greg Bonnen is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Cody Vasut is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Matt Morgan is running for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Ron Reynolds is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Gary Gates is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Jeff Barry is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican AJ Louderback is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Ryan Guillen is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Todd Hunter is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Katrina Pierson is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Denise Villalobos is running for re-election. Villalobos flipped District 34, which is based in Corpus Christi, in 2024. It is one of five Republican-held seats Democrats are most heavily targeting in the general election.^[50]

Incumbent Democrat Oscar Longoria is running for re-election.^[86]

Incumbent Democrat Sergio Muñoz is running for re-election unopposed.

Incumbent Republican Janie Lopez is running for re-election. Lopez flipped District 37, which is located in the Rio Grande Valley, in 2022, and is one of five Republican-held seats Democrats are most heavily targeting in the general election.^[50] Lopez will face Democratic candidate Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr., a Director of Special Education, in the general election.

Incumbent Democrat Erin Gamez is running for re-election.^[87]

Incumbent Democrat Armando Martinez is running for re-election unopposed.^[88]

Incumbent Democrat Terry Canales is running for re-election.^[89] He will face Republican nominee Celeste Cabrera-Huff in the general election.

Incumbent Democrat Robert Guerra is retiring.^[38] Donald Trump won the McAllen-based district in the 2024 election, making the seat a top target for Republicans in the general election. Due to this vulnerability, the seat is receiving extra attention and funding from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee to prevent it from flipping.^[20] Candidates in both hotly-contested primaries have been accused of affiliation with the opposing party based on past primary voting records, with conflict on the Republican side focusing on the state's abortion laws and gun rights.^[90] The contested nature of the primaries resulted in both races proceeding to runoff elections. The Democratic nomination was won by legislative staffer Julio Salinas and the Republican nomination was won by precinct chair of the Hidalgo County Republican party Gary Groves.

Incumbent Democrat Richard Raymond is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican José Manuel Lozano is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Alan Schoolcraft is running for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Erin Zwiener is running for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Sheryl Cole is running for re-election unopposed.

Incumbent Democrat Vikki Goodwin is retiring to run for Lieutenant Governor.^[39] Pooja Sethi, Goodwin's former chief of staff, is running to replace her against Joseph Kopser, who had previously run for Texas's 21st congressional district in 2018.^[91]

Incumbent Democrat Donna Howard is running for re-election.

Incumbent Democrat Gina Hinojosa is retiring to run for Governor.^[40] A very crowded Democratic primary emerged to replace her in the liberal, Austin-based district. Among the candidates is Kathie Tovo, a former member of the Austin City Council.^[92][93] Montserrat Garibay, a former U.S. Department of Education official, has received the endorsement of several prominent Democrats, including U.S. Representative Greg Casar, state representative John Bucy, and former state senator Wendy Davis.^[92] All of the Democratic candidates expressed similar policy positions, differentiating themselves on experience and focus.^[91] With none of the candidates receiving a majority of the vote, Garibay and Tovo proceeded to a runoff election, which Garibay won.

Arshia Papari, a student at the University of Texas at Austin has also entered the race with the Green Party.^[94]

Incumbent Democrat James Talarico is retiring to run for US Senate.^[41] A crowded primary emerged to replace him including Jeremy Hendricks, a labor organizer, who received the endorsement of several Austin-area Democrats, including U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett, state senator Sarah Eckhardt, and mayor Kirk Watson.^[95] Other candidates include Samantha Lopez-Resendez, a staffer for state representative Donna Howard and former public school librarian who is running with an emphasis on public education, and Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, an immigration attorney.^[91] Resendez won the primary and will face Republican Howard Olsen in the general election.

Incumbent Democrat Lulu Flores is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Caroline Harris Davila is running for re-election. Her challenger in the Republican primary, Blayre Peña focused her campaign on property tax legislation Harris Davila voted on during the previous legislation, criticizing it as shifting the tax burden from large businesses to small businesses and homeowners, receiving the endorsement of the Austin American-Statesman as a result.^[96] Harris Davilla won the primary and will face Democrat Chris Jimenez in the general election. Harris Davila's seat is one of seven added in June to national Democrats' list as a possible target for flipping.^[20]

Incumbent Republican Wes Virdell is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Brad Buckley is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Hillary Hickland is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Pat Curry is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Richard Hayes is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Helen Kerwin is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Shelby Slawson is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Mike Olcott is running for re-election.^[97]

Incumbent Republican Keresa Richardson is running for re-election. Frederick Frazier, a former incumbent whom Richardson had beaten in the 2024 Republican primary, challenged her for his old seat.^[98] Richardson ran against Frazier in 2024 over his 2023 vote to impeach attorney general Ken Paxton.^[99] Richardson won the primary.

In the Democratic Primary, candidate Brittany Black had previously filed to run for Texas's 3rd congressional district as a Republican before switching to this race as a Democrat, calling the former filing a "mistake." Black defeated Jackie Bescherer, who was seen as the more moderate of the two. Richardson won nearly 60% of the vote in 2024, but Democrats see the district as possibly competitive due to backlash against the closures of several local schools, which they blame on Republicans, and the continued population growth of northern Collin County.^[98] The seat is one of seven added in June to national Democrats' list as a possible target for flipping.^[20]Anissa Chilmeran is running for the seat under the Green Party.^[100]

Incumbent Republican Shelley Luther is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Ben Bumgarner is running for re-election.^[101] Denise Wooten, a perennial Democrat candidate, is also running. Neither Bumgarner nor Wooten are opposed in their respective primaries.

Incumbent Republican Andy Hopper is running for re-election.^[102] Texans for Lawsuit Reform backed a primary challenger, Lisa McEntire, over Hopper's role in watering down and eventually killing a major tort reform bill.^[48] Hopper won the primary and will face Democrat Julie Evans in the general election.

Incumbent Republican Mitch Little is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Matt Shaheen is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican Jeff Leach is running for re-election.^[103] This seat is one of seven added in June to national Democrats' list as a possible target for flipping.^[20]

Incumbent Republican David Spiller is running for re-election.

Incumbent Republican James Frank is running for re-election.