HOUSTON — Houston-area voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 27, for primary runoff elections that will determine party nominees in several closely watched races across Texas ahead of the November midterms.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to election officials.
Several key contests will decide nominations for U.S. Senate, congressional seats, statewide offices, and local leadership positions, including Harris County judge.
In the Republican U.S. Senate runoff, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. The winner will advance to the November general election against Democrat James Talarico.
Paxton received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who criticized Cornyn in a Truth Social post and said Cornyn had not supported him during difficult periods.
In Texas’ newly redrawn 18th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee and longtime Rep. Al Green are competing for the Democratic nomination. The district redraw placed both Houston Democrats in the same race. A University of Houston Hobby School poll showed Menefee leading Green 50 percent to 43 percent among likely runoff voters.
In the Republican runoff for Texas attorney general, State Sen. Mayes Middleton will face U.S. Rep. Chip Roy. On the Democratic side, State Sen. Nathan Johnson will compete against former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski.
In the race for Harris County judge, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker will face Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer in the Democratic runoff. A recent poll showed Parker leading Plummer by 18 percentage points among likely voters.
The Harris County judge race has centered on public safety, infrastructure, flooding, and county governance priorities.
Election officials said results from the runoff races will shape party nominations heading into the November general elections.
