Super Tuesday Results Set Midterm Stage

In Texas, the November gubernatorial race is now set between incumbent Republican Greg Abbott and Democratic State Rep. Gina Hinojosa. Abbott, who has overseen Texas's growth as a major hub for tech exports, recently expanded a list of prohibited technologies for state use, targeting Chinese AI, hardware, and software companies over data security concerns. Hinojosa's campaign focuses on reining in corporate influence, a stance that could impact large tech firms. The Texas Republican primary for U.S. Senate is heading to a May runoff between incumbent John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn has been a key figure in bolstering the domestic tech industry, co-authoring the CHIPS for America Act to increase federal incentives for semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. Paxton, meanwhile, has built a reputation for aggressively suing major tech companies over issues like data privacy, content moderation, and alleged monopolistic practices. In North Carolina's closely watched Senate race, former two-term Democratic Governor Roy Cooper will face Republican Michael Whatley, a former RNC chairman endorsed by Donald Trump. As governor, Cooper successfully recruited major tech companies like Apple and clean energy firms such as Toyota and Wolfspeed, adding hundreds of thousands of jobs to the state. Whatley has signaled support for creating a favorable regulatory and economic environment to encourage private tech investment, particularly in the AI sector. These matchups are critical as control of Congress hangs in the balance, with Republicans currently holding narrow majorities in both the House and Senate. The outcomes will directly influence the legislative agenda for key tech policies. Debates around federal AI regulation, antitrust enforcement against big tech, and funding for domestic semiconductor production are central to the campaigns of the candidates now set for the November elections.