Voter guide: 2026 San Antonio area primary elections

The big picture: The primary is the first election under Texas' new congressional map drawn to favor Republicans in five Democratic-held districts, passed last year at President Trump's urging.

What's next: There will be a May 26 runoff in races where no candidate earns more than 50% of the vote, which is likely in cases with a crowded ballot.

Here's what you need to know about how to vote and key races around San Antonio.

Get ready to vote

Before you vote: The Bexar County Elections Department website allows you to check your voter registration status and provides an individualized sample ballot.

• Voters can choose a Republican or Democratic ballot.

How to vote: Find early voting locations and hours, open Feb. 17–27, here.

• Find Election Day polling locations, open 7am–7pm March 3, here.

Plus: Feb. 20 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail.

Bexar County judge

A new Spurs arena and surrounding district, as well as issues with the county jail, have emerged as main points of contention in the Democratic primary race for Bexar County judge.

Why it matters: The election between incumbent County Judge Peter Sakai and former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg centers on whether the county should expand its vision and reach, as Nirenberg says.

State of play: Patrick Von Dohlen is the sole Republican running.

Go deeper: Bexar County judge Democratic primary voter guide

• Former Mayor Ron Nirenberg challenges Peter Sakai

Bexar County district attorney

Eight Democrats are vying to replace retiring Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales in a crowded March 3 primary.

Why it matters: The next district attorney could either preserve a progressive approach to criminal justice or bring the office into closer alignment with Texas conservatives.

State of play: Ashley Foster, a former assistant district attorney, is the sole Republican running.

The Democrats are:

• Luz Elena Chapa
• Oscar Salinas
• Jane Davis
• Meli Carrión Powers
• Veronica Legarreta
• Shannon Locke
• Meredith Chacon
• James Bethke

Go deeper: Your guide to the crowded Bexar County DA primary

U.S. Senate

Texas' U.S. Senate election features competitive primaries on the Republican and Democratic sides.

State of play: Incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn is fighting off challengers Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston.

• Democrats U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin are both hoping to face Paxton in a November general election.

The big picture: Polling has suggested that if Paxton is the Republican nominee, it could open the door to a Democrat winning Cornyn's seat. No Democrat has won statewide in Texas since 1994.

• Both primaries have drawn national attention as top Republicans are increasingly worried about maintaining their majority in the U.S. Senate after this year's midterms.

Go deeper: Identity politics convulse Dems' Texas Senate primary

• Cornyn unloading $10 million in last-minute ad blitz
• Cornyn and Talarico lead in Senate fundraising battle
• Talarico outspending Crockett in U.S. Senate race

21st Congressional District

The district continues to favor Republicans after redistricting, but the seat is now open with U.S. Rep. Chip Roy vacating it to run for Texas attorney general.

State of play: There are 12 Republicans and 3 Democrats on the ballot to represent the district that includes parts of north San Antonio and the Hill Country.

Zoom in: Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott have endorsed Republican and former Major League Baseball player Mark Teixeira, who also put millions of his own money into his campaign and raised the most money.

Worthy of your time: Former MLB player Mark Teixeira is heavy favorite in GOP primary to succeed Chip Roy in Congress

23rd Congressional District

The sprawling district that runs from San Antonio to El Paso was not altered much, but it features a familiar and competitive Republican primary.

State of play: Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales once again faces a challenge from Brandon Herrera, a pro-gun rights social media influencer.

• Gonzales beat Herrera in 2024 by less than 400 votes.

The latest: Trump endorsed Gonzales this year after staying silent on the matchup in 2024.

Zoom in: The race could once again head to a runoff. The Republican ballot also features Francisco "Quico" Canseco and Keith Barton.

• There are four Democrats running.

Flashback: How the Uvalde shooting is influencing a Texas border district race

• Texas border district race heats up ahead of Election Day

35th Congressional District

Four Democrats and 11 Republicans are on the ballot to represent the newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, which still includes parts of Bexar County but is now largely rural.

Why it matters: Texas Republicans altered the district from an urban progressive stronghold into a pickup opportunity for the GOP.

Catch up quick: The current 35th District is represented by U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, but he is vacating the seat to run in an Austin-based district under Texas' new map.

• The new 35th District encompasses southern Bexar County as well as Guadalupe, Wilson and Karnes counties.

Republican candidates with the strongest fundraising and name recognition include:

• John Lujan, a state representative who flipped a previously Democratic district in South San Antonio in 2021.
• Josh Cortez, who is from Guadalupe County and has worked for U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Edinburg).
• Carlos De La Cruz, brother of Monica De La Cruz.

Democratic candidates include:

• John Lira, a retired Marine and former Democratic congressional candidate.
• Johnny Garcia, Bexar County sheriff's deputy.

Go deeper: Who's running for Texas' new 35th Congressional District

Texas House races

There are at least five Texas House races in the San Antonio area this year in which an incumbent drew a primary challenger: Districts 117, 119, 120, 121 and 122.

Plus: Texas House districts 118 and 125 have no incumbent on the ballot.

Worthy of your time: Meet the candidates running for the Texas Legislature in 2026

• Why a San Antonio primary race became a $3M proxy war between lawyers and big business