Texas state lawmaker Steve Toth, a five-term Republican from Conroe known for aligning with the Legislature’s most conservative bloc, formally announced on 15 July that he will seek to unseat U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw in the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District. Toth launched his bid at an evening event in The Woodlands, signaling the start of what is expected to be the Houston-area district’s most competitive intra-party contest since Crenshaw entered Congress in 2019. Toth framed his challenge as a bid to give voters “an unwavering conservative,” citing Crenshaw’s support for U.S. military aid to Ukraine and the incumbent’s past description of some hard-right colleagues as “terrorists.” The 61-year-old legislator has previously broken with GOP leadership in Austin on issues ranging from the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton to debates over school vouchers and LGBTQ policy. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who has cultivated a national profile, defended his record on border security, veterans’ health and anti-cartel legislation, and dismissed the challenge by questioning Toth’s residency outside the redrawn district. The three-term congressman has sparred publicly with the House Freedom Caucus and media figures on the right, while maintaining a voting record that Heritage Action rates as broadly conservative. Toth is the most prominent primary rival Crenshaw has faced; previous challengers have failed to narrow the gap to single digits. The race underscores the ideological rift within Texas Republican ranks ahead of the 2026 midterm cycle, pitting a high-profile incumbent against a hardline insurgent backed by grassroots activists.