Texas state Rep. Steve Toth pulled off a major upset in the Republican primary for Texas’ 2nd Congressional District, defeating four-term U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw in a race widely viewed as a test of party loyalty to former President Donald Trump.
Toth’s victory marks a dramatic shift in the district, which stretches north of Houston, and signals the strength of conservative grassroots support over established incumbents. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, had previously faced criticism from the party’s right wing for his support of Ukraine, backing resettlement of Afghan allies, and his vote to certify Trump’s 2020 election loss. His outspoken criticism of fellow Republicans, whom he labeled “grifters” and “performance artists,” also alienated key GOP figures.
Prominent endorsements helped tip the balance. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz endorsed Toth and appeared in super PAC advertisements backing the challenger. Despite out-raising Toth by over $1.5 million, Crenshaw could not overcome the anti-establishment sentiment among voters.
Toth, a former megachurch pastor and business owner, has long been among the most conservative members of the Texas legislature. He previously challenged former Rep. Kevin Brady in 2016 but fell short. In 2024, he was one of four Texas House Republicans censured for campaigning against party members deemed too “liberal.”
Redistricting ahead of the election also played a role, as much of Toth’s state House territory was incorporated into the 2nd District. With the seat remaining solidly Republican, Toth is now heavily favored to face Democrat Shaun Finnie in the November general election, who ran unopposed in his primary.
This upset underscores the influence of the party’s conservative base in Texas and highlights the challenges incumbents face when navigating both national and local ideological divides.
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