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DISTRICT 10
The 2026 race for Texas’ 10th Congressional District is taking shape as candidates from both parties begin filing ahead of the Dec. 8 deadline.
The seat represents a wide stretch of Central Texas, including Elgin, Bastrop and Manor. Rep. Michael McCaul announced in September he would retire from the position after more than two decades in Congress, setting up a competitive primary season in a district long held by Republicans.
As of press time, 14 candidates have filed to run for the open seat.
Its political landscape changed again last month when a federal court blocked the state from using a newly redrawn congressional map, ruling the changes to district borders violated federal law.
The court ordered Texas to revert to the boundaries enacted after the 2020 census, a decision that could influence how campaigns from Republicans and Democrats alike approach both turnout and messaging in the upcoming months.
Though the district has historically leaned Republican, the open seat and court-ordered return to older district lines could influence how competitive the race becomes. However, officials still expect the GOP primary to be the decisive contest, likely heading to a May runoff.
The Republican primary has drawn 11 candidates, including attorney Chris Gober — known for representing high-profile clients such as Elon Musk — along with businessman Ben Bius and lobbyist Jessica Karlsruher. Other GOP candidates include Kara King, Scott MacLeod, Carl Segan, Robert Brown, Phillip Suarez, Jennifer Sharon, Chris Hurt and Josh Lovell.
Three Democrats have entered their ticket so far: State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, college professor Dawn Marshall and voting rights advocate Tayhlor Coleman.
The primary is set for March 3, with a runoff scheduled May 26. The general election follows Nov. 3, 2026.
Check upcoming editions of the Courier for complete candidate profiles.
