Early votes favor sitting senators in three Texas races

Unofficial early voting results show three incumbent Texas state senators holding leads in their respective races. The data from the Texas Secretary of State's website indicates that Charles Schwertner, Judith Zaffirini, and Pete Flores are ahead of their challengers in Districts 5, 21, and 24. These figures reflect a mix of early voting and initial Election Day returns.

In District 5, Republican incumbent Charles Schwertner holds a narrow edge over Democrat Paul Thomasson. Schwertner has captured 50.1 percent of the reported ballots, while Thomasson has received 49.9 percent. The margin comes from 51 of the 342 total precincts in the district. Schwertner has held the seat since assuming office in January 2013. He previously served in the Texas House of Representatives. His opponent, Thomasson, served as a United Methodist pastor in North Houston for over 40 years before entering the race.

District 21 features a wider gap between the candidates. Democrat Judith Zaffirini leads Republican challenger Julie Dahlberg by a substantial margin. Zaffirini has received 72.6 percent of the reported votes, compared to 27.4 percent for Dahlberg. The tally covers 113 of the 291 precincts in the district. Zaffirini has served in the Texas Senate since 1987, making her the first Mexican American woman to hold the office in the state. Dahlberg is a U.S. Army veteran who operates a glass and mirror business with her husband.

In District 24, Republican incumbent Pete Flores leads Democrat Joe Paz Herrera. Flores has secured 53.7 percent of the reported ballots, while Herrera has 46.3 percent. The results are based on 52 of the 276 precincts in the district. Flores entered the state legislature in a 2018 special election after serving as a Texas Game Warden for 27 years. Herrera spent more than 20 years in the food and packaged goods industry. He previously sought the Democratic nomination for a U.S. House seat in three consecutive cycles.

The three districts cover a large portion of Central Texas. District 5 includes Williamson County and stretches into San Jacinto, Limestone, Freestone, and Brazos counties. The district contains 324 voting precincts, with 123 located in Williamson County. District 21 spans Southwest Texas, covering parts of Bexar, Guadalupe, Hays, and Travis counties. It includes 291 precincts, with 79 in Webb County and 53 in Hays County. District 24 encompasses the Lake Travis area, Northwest Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock. It has 276 precincts, with 73 in Bell County and 56 in Williamson County.

All results remain unofficial until the state canvass is complete. The current numbers provide an initial snapshot of voter preference in these competitive suburban and rural seats. The races are part of the broader 2026 midterm elections across the state.