2026 primary runoff election voter’s guide

Andrew Bencivengo and Meg Boles

May 20, 2026

The Texas Democratic and Republican parties will hold primary runoff elections, after some of the candidates did not obtain more than 50% of the votes, to decide county, state and federal races. Early voting began on May 18 and lasts until May 22, with Election Day on May 26.

A primary runoff is a second election held when no candidate in a primary race receives enough votes to become their party’s nominee. In Texas, a candidate must receive 50% plus one vote to win a primary; if no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two candidates advance to a runoff.

While Texas primaries are open, meaning anyone can choose which party’s primary to vote in regardless of party affiliation, primary runoffs are not. Voters who cast a primary ballot may only vote in that same party’s runoff that year.

A full list of early voting and Election Day polling locations, dates and schedules can be found on the Hays County Elections website.

Democratic Ballot:

State:

Lieutenant Governor
- Marcos Isaias Velez
- Vikki Goodwin
  
  The lieutenant governor is Texas’s second-highest state executive. They are the president of the state Senate and largely control the flow of legislation by setting the agenda and forming standing committees, as well as breaking ties. The term for lieutenant governor lasts four years.

Attorney General
- Nathan Johnson
- Joe Jaworski
  
  The attorney general serves as the state’s top lawyer. The attorney general serves as legal counsel to all state agencies and represents the State of Texas in all legal matters. They defend the state when suits are brought against them and can bring suits in the state’s name. The term for attorney general lasts four years.
Member, State Board of Education, District 5
- Stephanie Limon Bazan
- Allison Bush
  
  An elected member serves on the State Board of Education (SBOE). The SBOE is an elected body responsible for setting education policy, curriculum standards and textbook approvals for Texas public schools. The board has 15 elected members, each representing about 1.8 million Texans. Members are elected to two or four year terms.

County:

County Judge
- Michelle Gutierrez
- Ruben Becerra
  
  The county judge serves as the highest-ranking executive official in the county, and as the presiding officer of the Hays County Commissioners Court. The County judge oversees the administration of county government. The term for County Judge lasts four years.
County Court-at-Law #2
- Chris Johnson
- Thomas Just
  
  The judge serves on the county court-at-law. The Hays County Court-at-Law handles Class A and B misdemeanors, juvenile matters, probate, guardianship, mental commitments and some civil cases. They also hear traffic and other appeals from justice and municipal courts. Terms for the County Court-at-Law last four years.
County Clerk
- Cynthia A. Millonzi
- Nicholas “Nico” Costilla
  
  The county clerk serves as the historian of the county. The Hays County clerk maintains key county records, including birth, death, marriage, property and business records. The office also supports the county courts at law, probate and guardianship services, specialty courts and Commissioners Court records. The term for County Clerk lasts four years.

Republican Ballot:

Federal:

U.S. Senate
- Ken Paxton
- John Cornyn
  
  A U.S. senator is one of two elected officials from Texas responsible for representing the state in the U.S. Senate. The Senate amends and votes on federal legislation and confirms certain presidential appointments. A senator’s term lasts six years.

State:

Attorney General
- Chip Roy
- Mayes Middleton
  
  The attorney general serves as the state’s top lawyer. The attorney general serves as legal counsel to all state agencies and represents the State of Texas in all legal matters. They defend the state when suits are brought against them and can bring suits in the state’s name. The term for attorney general lasts four years.
Railroad Commissioner
- Bo French
- Jim Wright
  
  The railroad commissioner helps oversee the Railroad Commission. The Railroad Commission, made up of three commissioners, oversees Texas’s energy infrastructure and regulates the oil and gas industry and other energy sources. Despite its name, the railroad commission has not regulated railroads since 2005. The term for railroad commissioner lasts six years.
Judge Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3
- Alison Fox
- Thomas Smith
  
  The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest criminal court in Texas. The court consists of eight judges and one presiding judge. Texas is one of two states that separate the state’s criminal and appeals courts. Terms for the Court of Criminal Appeals last six years.

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2026 primary runoff election voter’s guide

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