AUSTIN – Political hopefuls from across Texas start their races for the 2026 election season in earnest on Monday, as the window for filing their candidacies for public office draws to a close. Up for grabs in the March primaries and November general election next year are 150 seats in the Texas House and 16 in the state Senate,

Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, announced that he will not run for House again and will instead run for the role of Tarrant County judge after redistricting.

Republicans redid their voting map so they could flip five seats to help keep control of the U.S. House. But achieving that goal is far from guaranteed.

Lawmakers are awaiting a Supreme Court decision on redrawn electoral maps.

All eyes are on the U.S. Senate race and Houston's 18th District as the official candidate filing period comes to a close on Monday.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Texas Republican leaders, allowing the state to use new redistricting maps for the 2026 midterm elections.

Incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee defeated Amanda Edwards and Robert Slater (Unofficially withdrew) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 5, 2024. Lana Centonze defeated Aaron Hermes in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 18 on March 5, 2024.

A redistricting ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court allows Texas to use the newly drawn 2025 Congressional maps for the upcoming March primary and for the all-important midterm elections next year. Gov.

Thanks to the Supreme Court's ruling, Republicans are expected to win five extra seats in the House of Representatives.

The opinion, handed down Thursday evening, may allow the GOP to pick up five more seats in the upcoming election, strengthening a small majority in the House.