By Trendsetter Tribune 
The results of the March 3, 2026, Texas primary have sent shockwaves through the Republican establishment as the MAGA wing of the party claimed several high-profile victories, unseating veteran incumbents and forcing others into precarious runoffs. Supporters of President Trump have taken to social media to “pile on” the defeated, framing the results as a “cleansing” of the party’s moderate elements.
The Fall of Dan Crenshaw
The most significant casualty of the night was five-term U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw, who was defeated by State Representative Steve Toth.
- The Margin: Toth secured a decisive victory with 56% of the vote to Crenshaw’s 40%.
- The MAGA Reaction: Crenshaw, who has long had a contentious relationship with the hard-right wing of the party, was mocked online as “Eyepatch McCain” by critics. Trump-aligned influencers and fellow members of Congress, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, celebrated the win, calling it a “monumental victory for the America First movement” and a warning to other “RINOs” (Republicans In Name Only).
- The Toth Endorsement: Toth ran a campaign heavily focused on Crenshaw’s past criticisms of President Trump and his stance on foreign aid, positioning himself as the “true conservative” in the race.
Cornyn vs. Paxton: The Blockbuster Runoff
In the race for U.S. Senate, incumbent John Cornyn failed to secure the 50% needed to avoid a runoff, setting up a high-stakes “overtime” battle against Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- The Numbers: Cornyn finished slightly ahead with 41.9% to Paxton’s 40.7%, while Representative Wesley Hunt took 13.5%.
- The Narrative: Despite Cornyn’s narrow plurality, MAGA loyalists are framing the result as a massive “moral defeat” for the four-term senator. Paxton’s supporters pointed out that the combined vote for the two “insurgent” candidates (Paxton and Hunt) reached nearly 55%, suggesting a clear appetite for change.
- The Attack: Paxton immediately capitalized on the result, accusing Cornyn of trying to “buy the seat” with $70 million in establishment funding. He urged Cornyn to “suspend his campaign and concede” to avoid a bruising May 26 runoff.
Other Notable Ousters
The MAGA “purge” extended to several other key positions across the state:
- Sid Miller Defeated: In a major upset, three-term Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller—a longtime Trump ally who received a late endorsement from the President—was defeated by Nate Sheets, who was backed by Governor Greg Abbott. This race notably saw a split between the Trump and Abbott wings of the party.
- Don Huffines Wins: Former State Senator Don Huffines handily defeated acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, securing 57% of the vote. Huffines’ victory is seen as a major win for the “grassroots” wing that has consistently pushed for more aggressive border and fiscal policies.
- Tony Gonzales Forced into Runoff: Embattled Representative Tony Gonzales (TX-23) was forced into a runoff against YouTube personality Brandon Herrera (“The AK Guy”). Gonzales, already reeling from a scandal involving an alleged affair, is being heavily targeted by MAGA influencers who view him as “too moderate” on gun rights and border security.
The results confirm that the “civil war” within the Texas Republican Party is far from over, with the upcoming May runoffs expected to be among the most expensive and vitriolic in the state’s history.