Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw was defeated in the 2026 Republican primary for Texas’ 2nd Congressional District, losing to Texas state Rep. Steve Toth in a significant upset that marks the first defeat of a sitting House incumbent in the current election cycle, according to results reported by the Associated Press.
With most votes counted after the March 3 primary, Toth secured a clear majority of ballots, defeating Crenshaw despite the congressman’s financial advantage and four terms in office representing the Houston-area district.
The race unfolded in a district covering parts of Harris and Montgomery counties north of Houston. Texas’ 2nd District has historically favored Republicans and was expected to remain competitive primarily within the GOP primary rather than the general election.
Toth, one of the more conservative members of the Texas House, framed his campaign as a challenge to the ideological direction of the Republican Party. He argued voters wanted a representative who would “stand firm in his convictions” and pledged to advocate for conservative priorities if elected to Congress, according to a campaign statement following his victory.
Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL first elected to Congress in 2018, had previously won his primaries comfortably. During the 2026 contest, however, he faced criticism from some conservative activists and political figures over his positions on issues including the 2020 election and internal Republican Party disputes, according to election coverage and campaign messaging.
The contest also drew attention within Texas Republican politics because of high-profile endorsements. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz backed Toth during the campaign, while Crenshaw did not receive an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, an influential figure in many GOP primaries.
Despite raising significantly more campaign funds than his challenger, Crenshaw was unable to overcome the political momentum behind Toth, who built support among conservative grassroots groups and activists across the district.
Toth is now expected to advance to the November general election, where Democrat Shaun Finnie is set to appear on the ballot. Texas’ 2nd District is considered a strongly Republican seat, making the GOP nominee the early favorite heading into the general election.
Crenshaw’s defeat highlights internal divisions within the Republican Party during the early stages of the 2026 midterm cycle, where several incumbents faced significant primary challenges from candidates aligned with the party’s more conservative factions.
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