In today's edition of From the Politics Desk, we focus on the high-stakes runoff primaries taking place in Texas. These elections not only settle intraparty feuds but also have the potential to shape the future of the GOP in this traditionally conservative stronghold.

Dozens of general election matchups will be officially set after tonight's primaries. One closely watched race is in Texas' U.S.-Mexico border district, where incumbent Tony Gonzales is facing off against rival Alma Herrera. Gonzales, who garnered 45% of the vote in the March primary, has faced attacks from the right wing for voting in favor of gun control measures and supporting same-sex marriage. On the other hand, Herrera, a self-proclaimed "gun rights advocate" and ally of former President Donald Trump, aims to secure victory tonight. While Gonzales holds the lead, the contest is expected to be close.

Two other congressional primary runoff races worth highlighting include the race in Texas' 12th District and the 28th District. The race in the 12th District to replace Rep. Kay Granger has led to a split in GOP loyalties, with Gov. Greg Abbott supporting state Rep. Craig Goldman and state Attorney General Ken Paxton backing business owner John O'Shea. In the 28th District, retired Navy officer Jay Furman and rancher Lazaro Garza are vying for the chance to face Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, who was indicted on federal charges of bribery and money laundering. Cuellar has denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, state House Speaker Dade Phelan, a significant figure in Texas politics, faces a primary challenge from conservative activist David Covey. Phelan oversaw the impeachment proceedings against Paxton on corruption charges, but ultimately the state Senate declined to convict and remove Paxton from office. Covey, who gained 46% of the vote in the March primary compared to Phelan's 43%, has campaigned heavily on his support from Paxton and Trump.

The outcome of these runoff primaries will not only affect the future composition of the GOP but also have potential implications for the 2024 presidential race. NBC News conducted a poll asking voters about their reactions in the hypothetical scenario of Trump being found guilty and convicted in his ongoing New York trial. Prior to a conviction, Trump led Joe Biden 47%-42% in a head-to-head matchup. However, if Trump were to be found guilty and convicted, Biden took the lead 45%-43%. Similar patterns were observed in other polls conducted by Yahoo News/YouGov and Marquette Law School.

It is important to note that these findings are based on hypothetical scenarios, and the actual impact of a verdict cannot be determined until it occurs. Moreover, the political landscape is ever-changing, with events and controversies capturing the public's attention. History has shown that Trump's poll numbers tend to return to baseline even after periods of controversy.

Nonetheless, in such a closely contested race, even a slight shift in polling could have a significant impact. If Trump is convicted and his supporters defect from his camp, the impact could be seismic. As the primary runoff elections unfold in Texas, political analysts eagerly await the outcome, recognizing the potential influence they may have on the future political landscape and the 2024 presidential race.