Central Texas voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, March 3, to decide who will inherit Rep. Michael McCaul’s seat, after he announced last September that he would not seek reelection. That retirement announcement kicked open the doors to a crowded Republican primary and a three-way Democratic contest across the sprawling 10th Congressional District. With big-name endorsements in play and plenty of outside attention and money pouring in, the race was widely expected to spill into a May runoff unless one hopeful somehow cleared 50 percent.
Who’s On The Ballot
Republican voters had no shortage of options. Ten GOP candidates - Chris Gober, Ben Bius, Jessica Karlsruher, Scott MacLeod, Rob Altman, Brandon Hawbaker, Jenny Garcia Sharon, Jeremy Story, and Robert Brown - all appeared on ballots across the district. On the Democratic side, voters chose among Caitlin Rourk, Dawn Marshall, and Bernie Reyna.
According to Fox 7 Austin, the unusually packed field reflects how McCaul’s decision to step aside scrambled the political map and invited a rush of newcomers and seasoned operatives alike. The Texas Tribune reported that Gober entered the race with the biggest fundraising haul and a suite of high-profile endorsements, while ABC News previously documented McCaul’s September announcement that officially created the open seat.
Why This Seat Matters
The 10th District stretches from Austin’s western suburbs through Bryan‑College Station and into parts of East Texas, combining college-town, suburban, and rural voters. That mix has turned the race into a magnet for outside interest and paid advertising, as both parties try to read the mood of very different communities sharing one congressional line.
Local voter guides reminded residents that polls were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 3 and pointed them to county election offices and online tools to track down their precinct locations. The Texas Secretary of State’s election calendar lists Tuesday, May 26 as the scheduled runoff date if no candidate in a primary finishes with a majority of the vote.
Front-Runner Snapshot
GOP candidate Chris Gober entered the primary with the largest campaign war chest and endorsements from President Trump and other top Republicans, a pairing that party strategists say can be crucial in a split field. Political scientist Mark Jones of Rice University told The Texas Tribune that “a Trump endorsement in these types of races is worth its weight in gold.” The outlet also reported that Gober had raised roughly $1.05 million before primary day, putting financial muscle behind his support.
What’s Next
County election offices will spend the days after March 3 canvassing and certifying results, following state law deadlines for local and statewide canvases and the publication of official returns. If no candidate clears the 50 percent mark, early voting for the runoff will take place in mid-May, with Election Day set for May 26, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s calendar.
Whoever emerges from that intraparty fight will not have long to rest. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, when the Republican and Democratic nominees will finally square off for control of the 10th District’s open seat.
