Frisco Residents Clash Over H-1B Visas Amid Immigration Debate

Local Contests in Collin, Tarrant, and Dallas Counties Signal Shifting Dynamics.

By André Averion, Communications Chair

Published March 6th, 2026

Voters across North Texas played a significant role in shaping the results of the March 3 Texas primary elections, a contest marked by high turnout, competitive statewide races and several closely watched local contests throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

The primaries, held Tuesday, determined party nominees for a range of offices including governor, U.S. Senate, congressional seats and numerous county and legislative positions. Early voting began Feb. 17 and ended Feb. 27, with Election Day polling locations open statewide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Across Texas, participation surged in both Democratic and Republican primaries, reflecting heightened interest in several high-profile contests. Early voting totals across major North Texas counties, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton, rose significantly compared with the recent midterm election cycle.

The most prominent statewide race was the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emerged as the top two candidates in the crowded contest, forcing a runoff election scheduled for later in the year to determine the party’s nominee. 

Meanwhile another high-profile Democratic contest involved state Rep. James Talarico of Austin and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas. Talarico defeated Crockett in the Democratic primary, concluding one of the party’s most closely watched intraparty races. 

While the statewide races drew national attention, the Dallas–Fort Worth region also saw significant movement in local and county contests that will shape the political landscape heading into November.

In Tarrant County, Democratic voters selected County Commissioner Alisa Simmons as their party’s nominee for county judge. Simmons secured a majority of the vote in the Democratic primary, defeating a field that included former U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey and Fort Worth mayoral candidate Millennium Anton C. Woods Jr. She will face incumbent Republican Tim O’Hare in the November general election.

In neighboring Collin County, Republican voters chose Shelby Williams as their nominee for commissioner in Precinct 4 after a close primary race against Woody Huffines. Williams will advance to the general election ballot later this year.

North Texas election administration also drew attention during the voting process. In Dallas County, disputes over polling hours and voting procedures prompted legal challenges on Election Day. The Texas Supreme Court overturned an order that had extended Democratic primary voting hours in the county, delaying the release of early voting results for that contest. 

Separately, state Democratic officials reported that thousands of voters across Texas initially went to incorrect polling sites on Election Day due to changes in precinct-based voting requirements in some counties. The issue affected several urban counties, including Dallas, where voters were required to cast ballots at designated precinct locations based on their party affiliation rather than at any countywide vote center.

Despite logistical complications, turnout remained strong across the region. Election officials and analysts attributed the high participation to the competitive nature of several races and heightened political engagement across both parties. 

The results also demonstrated the continuing political diversity of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. While suburban counties such as Collin and Denton remain Republican strongholds, Dallas County continues to lean Democratic and Tarrant County has become increasingly competitive in recent election cycles.

Those regional dynamics are expected to play an important role in the November general election, when nominees selected in the primaries will compete for statewide offices as well as congressional, legislative and county positions.

Under Texas election law, candidates who fail to secure a majority of votes in their primary advance to runoff elections between the top two finishers. Several contests across the state, including the Republican U.S. Senate race, will move to that runoff stage in the coming months.

For voters in Dallas–Fort Worth, the primary results mark only the first step in the 2026 election cycle. Campaigns across the region are expected to intensify as candidates prepare for runoffs and the fall general election.

Political analysts note that turnout trends and shifting suburban voting patterns in North Texas could once again make the region one of the most influential battlegrounds in statewide politics.