With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, the primary season is set to begin in earnest over the next few months. Voters in more than a dozen states will head to the polls between now and the end of May to select nominees for congressional seats, governorships, and other key offices. These contests will help define the battlefield for November, when Republicans aim to expand their majorities and continue delivering on an America First agenda.
March: The Season Opens in the South and Midwest
The first wave of primaries arrives on March 3, when voters in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas choose their party nominees. These states feature competitive races for U.S. Senate and House seats, along with statewide offices in some cases.
Mississippi follows on March 10, with its primary focused largely on congressional contests.
Illinois rounds out the month on March 17, offering voters a chance to weigh in on a full slate of federal and state races.
April and Early May: Runoffs and the Next Round
Runoff elections, where required if no candidate secures a majority in the initial primary, will take place in Arkansas on March 31 and Mississippi on April 7.
The calendar then shifts to May, beginning with Indiana and Ohio on May 5. Both states hold primaries for congressional districts and statewide positions, with Ohio featuring several high-stakes House races.
Mid-May: A Cluster of Southern and Western States
On May 12, Nebraska and West Virginia conduct their primaries, including contests for the U.S. House in competitive districts.
Louisiana votes on May 16, using its unique system for congressional races that requires a majority to avoid a runoff.
May 19 brings a busy day with primaries in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. These states span the South, West, and Northeast, covering a wide array of congressional and state-level battles.
Texas will hold any necessary runoffs on May 26 to finalize nominees from its March primary.
These early primaries set the stage for what promises to be a consequential year. With Democrats still reeling from recent electoral setbacks, Republicans have a clear opportunity to consolidate support behind candidates committed to strong borders, economic growth, and restoring American strength abroad. The outcomes in these states will signal voter priorities heading into the fall.