2026 Ballot Breakdown

It’s primary season! We’re sharing the election results from this week in: Texas North Carolina Arkansas Primaries to Watch

Texas

Here’s what happened in Texas and why it matters:

U.S. Senate

On the Republican side, Senator Jon Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton head to a runoff after a primary that included increased anti-Muslim messaging. That tone is unlikely to disappear.

On the Democratic side, James Talarico won outright with 53% of the vote. He focused on everyday issues while also addressing a key concern for many Muslim Americans: the genocide in Gaza. Talarico pledged to oppose funding for “offensive” weapons and to support efforts to address the humanitarian crisis. His win creates an opening for Muslim voters to engage early and help shape the conversation before November, especially in DFW and Houston, where our communities are concentrated.

Governor & Lt. Governor

Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick both won decisively and will be back on the ballot. On the Democratic side, Gina Hinojosa secured her nomination for governor, while the lieutenant governor race heads to a runoff.

Attorney General

The Republican primary featured some of the most explicit anti-Muslim campaigning this cycle. Former State Senator Mayes Middleton and Representative Chip Roy advance to a runoff. The Democratic race remains unsettled but unofficially, Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski will likely face each other in a runoff.

Other Key Wins

In TX-30, Pastor Frederick Haynes won the Democratic primary, reinforcing the strength of coalition-based leadership in diverse urban districts.

In the Comptroller’s race, Don Huffines defeated the incumbent acting comptroller after controversy over excluding Islamic schools from the voucher rollout.

The Bottom Line

Muslim Texans are a growing voting bloc, particularly in Harris County, Fort Bend, and DFW. Runoffs are low-turnout elections, which means organized communities can have an outsized impact.

North Carolina

Here’s what happened in North Carolina and why it matters:

This week, North Carolina held its 2026 primary elections and the most closely watched Democratic race came down to just over 1,200 votes.

U.S. House of Representatives

In NC’s 4th Congressional District, Emgage Action-endorsed Nida Allam narrowly lost to two-term incumbent Rep. Valerie Foushee, 48.22% to 49.18%. Allam conceded Wednesday, forgoing a potential recount.

Running on a platform of ending U.S. arms transfers to Israel, abolishing ICE, and reducing corporate influence, Allam drew support from Sen. Bernie Sanders and over $2 million in outside backing. Foushee held on with establishment support but by a far smaller margin than her 9-point win in 2022.

Why it matters

Allam’s loss is a disappointing outcome for the Muslim and South Asian communities she represented and the values Emgage champions. Still, her near-victory signals a growing progressive coalition and previews the spending battles and intra-party divisions that will define November.

Arkansas

Here’s what happened in Arkansas and why it matters:

Arkansas held its primaries on March 3rd. The top-of-ticket races were uneventful: Gov. Sanders and Sen. Cotton both secured uncontested or easy Republican nominations. The most eyebrow-raising result came from Lonoke County, where Aaron Spencer, currently awaiting trial on a second-degree murder charge, won the Republican nomination for Sheriff.

Why it matters

Arkansas is solidly red, so November’s statewide outcomes are largely a foregone conclusion. The Lonoke County race is the one to watch. If convicted, Spencer would be legally barred from serving in the office he just won.

What’s Next?

Texas: Early voting in the Texas primary runoffs starts May 18 and ends May 22. Election Day is May 26, and these races will shape the political landscape heading into November.

Other primaries to watch

March 10:

• Mississippi: U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
• Georgia: U.S. House of Representatives special election (this is Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat)

March 17:

• Illinois: U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.