Texas Senate Primaries Set Stage for Midterm Control of Chamber

The Texas US Senate primary showcases each party’s diverging path, with Republicans weighing their embrace of President Donald Trump’s agenda and Democrats gauging how forcefully to oppose it.

Four-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R) faces a difficult battle for a fifth term as the race, mainly against Attorney General Ken Paxton, has turned into a proxy fight over Trump’s influence inside the GOP—and which faction will define the party heading into November.

Democrats are navigating their own crossroads. The party hasn’t won a statewide race in Texas since 1994. The primary between Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state Rep. James Talarico ...