The NPR Politics Podcast Runoffs, voting mishaps and Trump endorsements in TX and NC primaries
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Mar 4, 2026 They walk through tight primary results in North Carolina and Texas and why some Senate contests are shaping up. They contrast establishment and Trump-aligned Republican styles and preview a high-stakes Texas runoff. They highlight surprising Democratic upsets, Latino turnout along the border, and voting confusion in Dallas that sparked legal fights.
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NC Senate Becomes Test Of Independent Appeal
- Roy Cooper and Michael Watley won North Carolina primaries, setting up a competitive open-seat Senate race.
- Cooper's governor background and Watley's RNC history create a contest where Cooper's moderate, independent-leaning pitch could appeal to swing and independent voters.
Texas GOP Runoff Rewards Base Voters
- Texas Republican primary forced a runoff between incumbent John Cornyn and Ken Paxton because neither reached 50 percent.
- The runoff favors base voters and could boost Paxton, who energizes the GOP base despite legal scandals, while Cornyn relies on establishment spending.
Trump's Endorsement Looms Over Texas Runoff
- President Trump signaled a forthcoming endorsement in the Texas runoff and asked the non-endorsed candidate to drop out.
- Trump's backing could be decisive in moving voters in a tight Republican runoff between Cornyn and Paxton.