Texas politics delivered another jolt Tuesday night as Republican state Rep. Steve Toth defeated four-term Congressman Dan Crenshaw in the GOP primary for Texas’ 2nd Congressional District. The result, which many observers described as a stunning upset, signals a powerful shift inside the Republican Party as voters continue to reward candidates closely aligned with the MAGA wing of the movement. 🗳️
Toth secured roughly 56 percent of the vote, while Crenshaw finished with about 40.5 percent, according to projections from the Associated Press and multiple election trackers. For an incumbent with national name recognition, deep fundraising networks, and years of congressional experience, the margin represents a decisive rejection by primary voters.
BREAKING: Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-R) has LOST to Steve Toth in the primary (double digits), in a major upset pic.twitter.com/yKfPMO5McI
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 4, 2026
The race had been brewing as a political showdown for months. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who first entered Congress in 2019, has long occupied a complicated space within the Republican coalition. While he identifies as a conservative, many grassroots activists have increasingly viewed him as part of the party’s establishment wing.
Toth leaned heavily into that divide throughout the campaign.
Backed by Sen. Ted Cruz, Toth framed the race as a battle between a grassroots conservative fighter and a Washington insider who, critics argued, had drifted away from the priorities of the Republican base. Cruz’s endorsement became one of the most significant moments of the race, particularly after a public clash between the senator and Crenshaw reportedly unfolded during an airport encounter earlier in the year.
According to accounts circulating among Texas political circles, Crenshaw accused Cruz of working against his reelection effort. Cruz reportedly responded bluntly: “If I’m working against you, you’re gonna know it.” Days later, the senator formally endorsed Toth, praising him as “an unwavering fighter, a Republican who walks the walk.”
President Donald Trump’s absence from the race also became a major storyline. Trump declined to endorse Crenshaw ahead of the primary, making him the only Republican member of the Texas House delegation not to receive the president’s backing. While Trump did not formally endorse Toth either, the lack of support from the party’s most influential figure sent a clear signal to many voters.
Throughout the campaign, critics of Crenshaw pointed to several positions that placed him at odds with the party’s populist base. His strong support for U.S. aid to Ukraine, criticism of the January 6 Capitol riot, and skepticism toward claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen all became flashpoints among activists.
Congratulations to my dear brother @SteveTothTX in a resounding victory over Dan Crenshaw. What a win for Texas!
— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) March 4, 2026
Conservative commentators quickly reacted once the results became clear. Social media filled with celebratory messages from figures aligned with the America First movement, who portrayed the outcome as another example of Republican voters rejecting establishment politics.
Additional controversies had also shadowed Crenshaw in recent months. Reports surfaced earlier in the year about an alcohol-related incident during a congressional trip to Mexico that allegedly resulted in a temporary ban on international travel. While Crenshaw acknowledged the episode, he dismissed the coverage as exaggerated and described the story as largely unremarkable.
For Toth, the victory now sets the stage for a likely general election win in November. Texas’ 2nd District remains solidly Republican, meaning the GOP primary effectively determines the seat’s occupant.