Texas state Rep. Steve Toth, a staunch conservative endorsed by President Donald Trump, has won the open seat in Texas’ 2nd Congressional District, holding the Houston-area district for Republicans on an otherwise punishing night for the GOP.
Toth defeated Democrat Shaun Finnie by roughly 51% to 49%, according to Decision Desk HQ. The Associated Press also called the race for Toth. The district covers parts of Harris and Montgomery counties.
The win was narrower than expected in a district rated Solid Republican by both the Cook Political Report and Inside Elections. The race shifted about 21 points toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential election, according to NBC News. Finnie carried the Harris County portion of the district, while Toth won Montgomery County 56.5% to 43.5%.
Toth reached the general election by ousting incumbent Rep. Dan Crenshaw in the March 3 Republican primary, winning by about 15 points. Trump endorsed Toth in that race, making Crenshaw the only House Republican on the ballot in Texas without the president’s backing. Some conservatives, including Toth, argued that the former Navy SEAL’s voting record was insufficiently MAGA.
After his primary win, Toth framed the campaign as a referendum on representatives who campaign one way and govern another, declaring that the people had spoken.
Toth also earned endorsements from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Turning Point Action.
His campaign touted his conservative record, including efforts to enforce border security, ban critical race theory and protect the Second Amendment. As a state lawmaker, he co-authored a heartbeat bill aimed at banning abortions once a heartbeat is detected.
Toth told The Texas Tribune he plans to join the House Freedom Caucus once he is sworn in, adding another hard-line conservative voice to the Republican conference.
Toth represents Texas House District 15, based in Montgomery County. He was elected to the state House in 2012 and again in 2018. Outside politics, he owns pool businesses in The Woodlands.
His victory was a rare bright spot for Republicans on an election night that saw Democrats take control of both the House and Senate. Senate Republican sources acknowledged that GOP candidates lost even in traditionally red states, and that the unpopular war with Iran was a major drag on the party.
Toth will join a shrunken Republican minority when the new Congress convenes in January, with Democrats projected to hold a commanding House majority after flipping dozens of seats across the country.
Crenshaw, a high-profile conservative and frequent cable news presence who has served in Congress since 2019, will leave office in January.