Texas Holds Race for Open 21st District Seat
Voters in Texas' 21st congressional district choose a successor to Republican Chip Roy, who is leaving the seat after losing a statewide primary runoff.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Texas' 21st congressional district elects a new U.S. representative on November 3, 2026, to replace Republican Chip Roy, who ran for attorney general instead of seeking reelection. Republican Mark Teixeira and Democrat Kristin Hook are the candidates for the seat.
Why it matters
Roy lost the Texas attorney general primary runoff to state Sen. Mayes Middleton, leaving the seat open for the first time since he was elected in 2018. The outcome determines who represents a district that spans parts of the Texas Hill Country, San Antonio and Austin.
The district has not elected a Democrat since 1978, and Republican Mark Teixeira is favored over Democrat Kristin Hook. Some races may not be called until Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026.
The players
Chip Roy
A Republican congressman who has represented Texas' 21st district since 2018 and lost the 2026 Texas attorney general primary runoff.
Mayes Middleton
A Republican state senator who defeated Chip Roy in the Texas attorney general primary runoff.
The details
Polls close at 7 p.m. on November 3, with early voting totals reported first and results updated throughout the night by local and state election authorities. The district includes portions of the Texas Hill Country, San Antonio and Austin.
Timeline
2018: Chip Roy first elected to the seat.
1978: Last year a Democrat won the district.
November 3, 2026, 7 p.m.: Polls close and results begin.
Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026: Some races may be decided.
Political Context
The district has not elected a Democrat since 1978, and that long Republican streak frames how the open-seat contest is viewed. Opposition from Democrat Kristin Hook is a test of whether that pattern holds without an incumbent on the ballot.
Voters in the district will decide who represents them in Congress starting in the next session. Residents should check their polling place and results updates after polls close at 7 p.m. on November 3.
The takeaway
Open congressional seats draw competitive primaries and general elections, and the outcome often depends on local turnout and early voting totals reported on election night.
Further reading
For more on the state's races, see Texas Elections.
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