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Texas state Rep. Steve Toth pulled off an upset win in the Republican congressional primary over four-term Rep. Dan Crenshaw, NBC News and the Associated Press reported, in one of the more surprising moments of the early 2026 midterm season.

Toth declared victory on March 3 over the incumbent Crenshaw in Texas’ newly mapped 2nd Congressional District. Toth led Crenshaw by nearly 19 percentage points in his Houston-area district en route to his victory, according to NBC News and the Associated Press.

“Congressional District 2 voters want a representative in DC who will stand firm in his convictions, fight for his constituents, and follow through on his promises. I won’t let them down,” said Toth in a news release, according to the Texas Tribune.

Toth’s primary win was also bolstered with the support of longtime Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

“Steve is an unwavering fighter for school choice, fiscal responsibility, and the next generation of Americans,” Cruz said in a Feb. 24 post on X. “Washington needs bold leadership and representatives who will stand up for Texans at every turn.”

Crenshaw fought for a fifth term in a newly mapped district

In addition to a potential loss in part due to Texas’ controversial redistricting of new election maps, Crenshaw did not get the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

As a result, Crenshaw, a former NAVY SEAL who lost his right eye fighting for the United States in Afghanistan, became the only House Republican in Texas running for reelection without the president’s backing.

For better or worse: Trump’s redistricting war is reshaping election maps from Texas to Virginia

Still, Crenshaw was optimistic as voters headed to the polls.

“You know, my enemies have all come out with their knives — Tucker Carlson or Ted Cruz — for no good reason,” Crenshaw told Fox News Digital on March 3, also telling the outlet that he hoped to avoid a runoff election but wouldn’t dismiss the notion.

“Anything’s possible,” Crenshaw added.