Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas lost his primary bid Tuesday night, marking a major upset and ending the four-term lawmaker\u2019s run for a fifth term in Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crenshaw was defeated by Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, a staunch conservative who successfully rallied support from the party\u2019s most hard-line voters in the Houston-area district. The loss makes Crenshaw one of the first Republican incumbents to be ousted in the 2026 election cycle and underscores ongoing ideological divisions within the GOP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Crenshaw has voted consistently in support of former President Donald Trump\u2019s policy agenda, he entered the race as the only House Republican in Texas on the ballot without Trump\u2019s endorsement. Toth seized on that dynamic, presenting himself as the more reliable ally of the president and the conservative grassroots base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The contest intensified when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) publicly backed Toth\u2019s campaign and appeared in a political advertisement promoting the challenger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou deserve an unwavering fighter, a Republican who walks the walk. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to endorse Steve Toth for Congress. Steve Toth has a strong record of standing up for limited government, faith and freedom, and fiscal responsibility. Washington needs a no-nonsense Texan like Steve Toth to secure our border, fight alongside Trump, and put money back in people\u2019s pockets. Please join me in electing Steve Toth,\u201d Cruz said in the ad, which was funded by the Alamo Freedom Fighters PAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n