May runoff to decide Democratic opponent for U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran

Published 5:45 am Thursday, March 5, 2026

Two Democratic candidates will meet in a May runoff to decide a November opponent for Republican U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran.

Yolanda Prince and Dax Alexander were the top vote-getters in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District.

Prince had 15,667 votes, or 44.6%, while Alexander garnered 7,717 votes, or 22%.

Other Democratic candidates on the ballot were Masika Akilah Ray, a Mt. Vernon native, and Tracy Andrus, of Marshall.

Andrus garnered 6,635 votes, or 18.9%, and Ray took 5,136 votes, or 14.6%.

Prince and Alexander

During a February candidate forum, Prince said, if elected, she will give underrepresented and marginalized people a voice by reaching across the political aisle to work with Republicans.

“I would want to meet with them and explain to them, because sometimes people don’t understand that the problems that they have, other people don’t have, and take those issues straight to them to cosponsor a bill or write a bill to meet the basic needs of our constituents,” she said at the event.

Prince also previously said she would fight to raise the minimum wage, which remains at $7.25.

She said she has leadership experience through various organizations such as the NAACP and the League of Women Voters.

“I won’t promise easy solutions. I will promise hard work, transparency and accountability,” she said previously. “The people of this district, Congressional District 1, deserve a representative who knows their struggles, respects their voices … and is willing to show up for them in rooms where decisions are made.”

During the same February forum, Alexander said he is a “proud progressive” who believes Texas can become a blue state.

He said he believes the most pressing issue facing the community and the state is a “total lack of accountability from pretty much every level of government.” He specifically criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement and said agents are “kidnapping people,” and he believes Congress has abdicated its role in restraining the president’s power.

Alexander previously criticized Moran for not participating in a town hall event in Smith County hosted by the Tyler NAACP chapter in 2025. He also said Moran gave excuses instead of answers during another town hall meeting.

“It’s not acceptable to you, and that’s why I want to lead,” Alexander said previously. “I’m gonna keep working hard for you the way I know how. My father was a dairy farmer. That means that he works every day because cows don’t take holidays. … That’s the kind of work ethic I want to bring to you. I want to serve you.”

How Smith County voted 

Prince was the candidate most Smith County voters wanted to see secure the Democratic nomination, according to unofficial results. She received 48% of the vote. After her, Alexander received 30% of Smith County votes. Ray and Andrus each garnered about 11%.

The overall primary turnout was nearly 28%, according to Smith County. Of 161,770 registered voters, 44,869 total ballots were cast — 29,831 in the Republican Primary and 15,038 in the Democratic Primary. The majority of voters turned out during early voting.