The Texas primary elections concluded without decisive victories in several key races, requiring runoffs that will extend the influence of real estate donors who have already contributed more than $1 million, primarily to Republican candidates.
In the U.S. Senate race, neither incumbent Sen. John Cornyn nor Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reached the 50 percent threshold needed to secure their party’s nomination. According to NBC, Cornyn led with 41.9 percent of the vote while Paxton followed closely at 40.7 percent. U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt was eliminated after receiving 13 percent.
Cornyn and Paxton attracted significant support from prominent figures in Texas real estate, though donations were split between them. The largest single contribution from a real estate donor in either party’s Senate primary was a $66,000 donation to Cornyn from John Carona, founder of Associa in Dallas. Other notable supporters for Cornyn included Lucy Billingsley, Ross Perot Jr., and Richard Weekley of David Weekly Homes. Paxton received backing from North Texas developers Rex Glendenning and Mehrdad Moayedi.
Both candidates have raised issues relevant to the industry during their campaigns. They scrutinized faith-based developments such as EPIC City in North Texas and questioned foreign investment in Texas real estate—concerns that led to new state laws restricting property purchases by entities based in certain countries deemed hostile.
On the Democratic side, state Rep. James Talarico secured his party’s nomination with 52.4 percent of the vote against U.S. Rep Jasmine Crockett. Fewer industry donations went into this race; however, Talarico received $1,000 from Compass agent Faisal Halum and $3,500 from George Billingsley of Crow-Billingsley.
Talarico has emphasized housing affordability and legislative measures aimed at increasing residential development options across Texas.
In the attorney general contest, no candidate achieved a majority among Republicans either: State Sen. Mayes Middleton led with 39.1 percent while Congressman Chip Roy trailed at 31.6 percent; both advance to a runoff after Aaron Reitz and Joan Huffman were eliminated.
Roy has focused on restricting property ownership by nationals from countries considered security risks and received major contributions including $25,000 from developer Phillip Huffines and $10,000 from Timothy Timmerman of Timmerman Capital.
Middleton’s top contributors included Brian Austin of Alliance Residential and broker Ryan Keiser.
The Democratic attorney general primary remains undecided as Nathan Johnson leads but falls short of an outright win with 48.1 percent.
For comptroller, Don Huffines won the Republican nomination outright with over 57 percent support; Kelly Hancock finished second with 23.6 percent.
Huffines comes from a well-known real estate family—his brother Phillip leads Huffines Communities—and recently purchased Zorro Ranch previously owned by Jeffrey Epstein.
His campaign received substantial support within the sector including donations from Allie Beth Allman ($2,000) and Mehrdad Moayedi ($50,000).
State Sen Sarah Eckhardt claimed victory on the Democratic side for comptroller with over 64 percent support; her most notable industry contribution came via Perry Lorenz ($5,081).
Runoff elections are scheduled for May 26 for both Senate and attorney general races as donors reassess which candidates align best with their interests moving forward.
