Primary Runoff Races for Nueces County
Nueces County — 2026 Democratic Primary Runoffs
Primary Runoff Election: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Key Dates
Voter Registration Deadline: April 27, 2026
Early Voting: May 9 – May 22, 2026
Mail Ballot Request Deadline: May 15, 2026
Runoff Day: May 26, 2026 · Polls 7 AM – 7 PM
General Election: November 3, 2026
Nueces County Democratic Party Chair
March 3 results: Rubio 45.73% · Rice 32.97% · Ayala 21.30% (eliminated) · No candidate reached 50%
Led primary — 45.73%
Alejandro Rubio
Received 9,844 votes in the March 3 primary — just short of the 50% threshold to win outright. Running to lead the Nueces County Democratic Party organization.
45.73%
Contact via NCDP: (361) 885-0095
nuecesdemocrats.comDonate via NCDP ActBlue
2nd place — 32.97%
Conor Rice
Received 7,097 votes in the March 3 primary. Advanced to the runoff as the second-place finisher. Aaron Ayala (21.30%) was eliminated in third place.
32.97%
Contact via NCDP: (361) 885-0095
nuecesdemocrats.comDonate via NCDP ActBlue
Why it matters: The County Chair leads all NCDP operations, oversees the County Executive Committee, manages primary election logistics for Nueces County, and is the public face of the Democratic Party in the Corpus Christi area. The winner serves a 2-year term and plays a central role in the November 2026 general election strategy.
Nueces County Commissioner — Precinct 2
Three-way primary; no candidate reached 50% · Winner faces Republican Ed Bennett in November
Incumbent
Joe A. “JAG” Gonzalez
Commissioner since 2011 · Veteran, former U.S. DOJ · Emphasizes rural infrastructure, TRAPS youth program, colonia improvements, community health
Phone: (361) 888-0296
Email: joe.gonzalez@nuecesco.comjag247.com Facebook
Challenger
Isabel Noyola-Martin
Lifelong Precinct 2 resident · NCDP Precinct 115 Chair · Running on accountability, fresh leadership, and stronger community representation
Contact via NCDP: (361) 885-0095
nuecesdemocraticpartychair@gmail.comDonate via NCDP ActBlue
Why it matters: The winner faces Republican Ed Bennett in November in a precinct that leans heavily Democratic — making this runoff likely decisive for the next 4 years of county infrastructure, drainage, parks, and budget decisions covering Bishop, Petronila, and SW Corpus Christi.
Already on the November 2026 Ballot — No Runoff Needed
These Democratic candidates won their primaries outright on March 3:
Nueces County Judge — Aidee Hernandez (D)
Won Democratic primary outright · Faces Republican incumbent Connie Scott in November
Website: aideefornuecescountyjudge.com · NCDP: (361) 885-0095
Nueces County Clerk — Leanna Gutierrez Gonzales (D)
Won with 64.17% (13,833 votes) · Faces Republican incumbent Kara Sands in November
Nueces County District Clerk — Maria Ventura (D)
Won Democratic primary · Faces Republican incumbent Anne Lorentzen in November
U.S. House District 34 — Vicente Gonzalez (D, incumbent)
Won primary · Faces Republican Eric Flores in November · gonzalezforcongress.com
U.S. House District 27 — Tanya Lloyd (D)
Won with 63% (35,483 votes) · Faces Republican incumbent Michael Cloud in November
Texas Governor — Gina Hinojosa (D)
Won primary outright · Faces Republican incumbent Greg Abbott in November · ginahinojosa.com
U.S. Senate — James Talarico (D)
Won primary outright · Faces GOP runoff winner (Cornyn vs. Paxton) in November · jamestalarico.com
Support All Nueces County Democrats
NCDP HQ: 6102 Ayers St, Suite 107, Corpus Christi TX 78415
Phone: (361) 885-0095 · Email: nuecesdemocraticpartychair@gmail.com
Donate: secure.actblue.com/donate/ncdp2022
nuecesdemocrats.com
Created by Island Democrats · March 17, 2026 · islanddemocrats.com