Takeaways from the first elections of the 2026 campaign

Primary elections set up major Senate fights in Texas and North Carolina, and they also expose fresh tension over voting rules. North Carolina locked in a high-stakes matchup as Democrat Roy Cooper faces Republican Michael Whatley. The race helps decide Senate control in November. In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn heads to a May 26 runoff against Ken Paxton. Big money keeps flooding the contest. Voting also turned chaotic in Dallas and Williamson counties. New precinct rules confused voters and triggered lawsuits.