Dan Crenshaw Loses Primary After Becoming Lone Texas Republican Without Trump's Endorsement

Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s political star has dimmed, and for now, he’ll be sidelined for the remainder of this election cycle.

Crenshaw, the lone Texas House Republican not endorsed by President Donald J. Trump in Tuesday’s primaries, suffered a decisive defeat to state Rep. Steve Toth in the race for Texas’ Second Congressional District.

With 94.8 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday morning, Toth commanded 55.8 percent of the vote to Crenshaw’s 40.6 percent—a margin not only exceeding 15 points but also comfortably above the threshold to avoid a May 26 runoff.

Political analysts had called the race early, despite expectations of a tight contest. The results underscore the impact of strategic endorsements: as the Texas Tribune reported, Toth had “gathered the support of Sen. Ted Cruz and the Trump-aligned conservative group Turning Point Action,” among others.

Redistricting ahead of the election, noted by The Wall Street Journal, may have played a role. Still, it doesn’t fully explain how a one-time GOP rising star, long touted since President Trump’s first term, could be ousted by double digits in his own primary.

Crenshaw’s political style likely contributed to his downfall. Often likened—fairly or unfairly—to “Eyepatch McCain” due to his combat injury and a reputation for moderate, McCain-esque conservatism, Crenshaw increasingly alienated the party base. Once celebrated as a top prospect in the 2018 GOP class, he wore out the patience of fellow conservatives.

His repeated clashes with both the conservative House Freedom Caucus and President Trump did little to endear him to voters in this deep-red district outside Houston. Add to that his record on key votes, and Crenshaw had strayed from the path the GOP base rewards.

Financial scrutiny also shadowed his tenure. While not at the level of Nancy Pelosi, Crenshaw’s rising net worth drew uncomfortable comparisons to the entrenched wealth accumulation often criticized in Congress.

Unlike other primary casualties, such as Jasmine Crockett and Al Green, Crenshaw’s political career isn’t necessarily finished. But recovering from this defeat will demand significant image rehabilitation. Losing as an incumbent Republican in a primary marks a dramatic fall for a former Navy SEAL and GOP hopeful.