LIVE UPDATES Administration Live updates: Key primary elections underway in Texas, North Carolina by The Hill Staff - 03/03/26 6:25 PM ET by The Hill Staff - 03/03/26 6:25 PM ET Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email NOW PLAYING Voters are heading to the polls in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas, where several high-profile primary contests are on the ballot.  All eyes are on the Senate race in Texas, where Sen. John Cornyn (R) is fighting for his political life against Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. Across the aisle, Democrats will decide between Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talerico.  Polls close at 7:30 p.m. in North Carolina, 8 p.m. in Texas and 8:30 p.m. in Arkansas. Here are the key races to watch Tuesday.   Earlier Tuesday, President Trump hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, as the U.S. military operation in Iran is ongoing and Europe is mixed in its support. During a bilateral meeting alongside Merz in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran’s navy and “virtually everything they have” has been knocked out amid joint Israeli and U.S. strikes on the Middle Eastern country, adding that he “ might have forced ” Israel’s hand in the attacks. The president also lashed out at the leaders of Spain and the United Kingdom amid disagreements over the Iran operation. Trump later announced in a post on Truth Social that the U.S. Navy will escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, while also ordering the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to ensure shipping companies can get insurance if their ships are attacked amid the tensions in the Middle East. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, meanwhile, testified before the Senate amid negotiations to fund her department. During the hearing, she declined to apologize to the families of Minnesota shooting victims Renee Good and Alex Pretti for implying the two were domestic terrorists. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also tore into Noem in a 10-minute tirade. Follow live below. Add as preferred source on Google Tags Donald Trump Friedrich Merz Howard Lutnick James Comer Jasmine Crockett Jeffrey Epstein John Cornyn Ken Paxton Kristi Noem Thom Tillis Wesley Hunt Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email More Administration News See All Administration Rubio fends off barrage of questions about why US started Iran attacks by Laura Kelly 46 minutes ago Administration  /  46 minutes ago