Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) announced on Oct. 6, 2025, that he will run to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate in 2026 rather than for another term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to Politico’s Brakkton Booker, “The race for the Republican nomination in the Lone Star State will likely be one [of] the most expensive and bruising primary contests of the 2026 midterm cycle. […] Already, [Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R)] has an edge in most polling of the primary race against [U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas)], though the incumbent senator has closed the gap in more recent surveys.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball have rated the general election for the seat as Likely Republican.

On his campaign, Hunt said, “With my candidacy, this race will finally be about what’s most important. I will ensure this campaign centers on what truly matters: Texas families, the protection of American energy, the security of our border, and the safety of every community across our great state.”

In 2020, Hunt first ran for the U.S. House in Texas’ 7th Congressional District, losing to incumbent Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D-Texas) in the general election 50.8% to 47.5%. In 2022, Hunt ran to represent Texas’ 38th Congressional District after redistricting moved incumbent Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) to Texas’ 2nd Congressional District. In the general election, Hunt defeated Duncan Klussmann (D) 63% to 35.5%. Hunt won re-election in 2024 by a margin of 26 percentage points.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026general election for the district Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

As of Oct. 6, 2025, Hunt is one of 38 members of the U.S. Congress—eight U.S. Senate members and 30 U.S. House members—who have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats in 2026.

Of the 30 representatives not seeking re-election:

• Eight—five Democrats and three Republicans—are retiring from public office.
• Eleven—five Democrats and six Republicans—are running for the U.S. Senate.
• Ten—all Republicans—are running for governor.
• One Republican is running for state attorney general.

Compared to the last four election cycles, there were 19 retirement announcements at this point in 2024, 22 in 2022, 25 in 2020, and 24 in 2018.

Between January 2011 to October 2025, Ballotpedia followed 333 announcements from U.S. House members who announced they would not seek re-election. January had the highest number of members announcing they would not run for re-election at 57. The fewest announcements took place in June at 15.