Texas Rep. Steve Toth Defeats Dan Crenshaw in GOP Primary
In a stunning political upset that is reverberating far beyond Texas, State Rep. Steve Toth unseated four-term incumbent Dan Crenshaw in the Republican primary for Texas’s 2nd Congressional District on March 17—marking a decisive rejection of establishment politics in favor of an America First agenda.
With the majority of precincts reporting, Toth surged to a commanding lead and declared victory well before the race was officially called. The Associated Press later confirmed the outcome, effectively ending Crenshaw’s tenure in Congress and setting the stage for Toth to carry the deep-red Houston-area district into November as the clear favorite.
The contest quickly evolved into a referendum on the future of the Republican Party, particularly in Texas. Toth positioned himself as a staunch MAGA conservative aligned with President Donald J. Trump, arguing that Crenshaw had drifted from the grassroots and failed to consistently uphold the promises that energized Republican voters.
In his victory statement, Toth made clear the direction he intends to take. “Congressional District 2 voters want a representative in D.C. who will stand firm in his convictions, fight for his constituents, and follow through on his promises. I won’t let them down,” Toth said.
The message was widely interpreted as a direct contrast to Crenshaw, who—despite once being viewed as a rising conservative star—faced increasing skepticism from the Republican base over several high-profile stances.
Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who lost an eye in combat and quickly rose to national prominence after his 2018 election, had historically dominated primary challenges. But in 2026, even a significant fundraising advantage—outpacing Toth by roughly $1.3 million—was not enough to overcome growing frustration among voters.
Toth’s campaign framed the race as a clear choice between “establishment Republicanism” and a bold, populist America First movement. Known as one of the most conservative lawmakers in the Texas House, Toth has frequently challenged party leadership, including policy decisions backed by Greg Abbott.
The race also drew support from key conservative figures and organizations. Sen. Ted Cruz endorsed Toth, as did Turning Point Action, underscoring the grassroots momentum behind his campaign.
Crenshaw, meanwhile, continued to face backlash from within the GOP over past remarks about the 2020 election. In a 2022 interview, he dismissed claims of widespread fraud, stating, “It was always a lie. The whole thing was always a lie,” a comment that alienated voters who believed the election warranted deeper investigation.
During the campaign, critics also questioned Crenshaw’s loyalty to President Trump—whose endorsement has become a powerful signal in Republican primaries. Notably, Trump declined to back Crenshaw in the race, a silence that many viewed as significant.
Toth further pressed the contrast by raising concerns about congressional accountability, including stock trading practices. Crenshaw firmly denied any wrongdoing, noting he had not made a stock trade in three years and that his total gains while in office were under $46,000.
Following his defeat, Crenshaw attributed the loss in part to what he described as misinformation and the influence of online narratives. Speaking to the Texas Tribune, he said voters were being swayed by headlines rather than his legislative record.
“It’s not like anyone was going to the polls saying, ‘I disagree with that vote,’” Crenshaw said. “Too many people are not discerning through the clickbait.”
Texas’s 2nd Congressional District, covering parts of northern and eastern Harris County, has reliably leaned Republican—giving Toth a strong advantage heading into the general election.
The result stands as one of the most significant Republican shakeups of the 2026 cycle and may signal a broader trend: primary voters demanding stronger alignment with President Trump’s agenda and a renewed commitment to America First principles.