James Talarico Wins Texas Senate Seat, Ending Long Democratic Drought

James Talarico defeated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race on November 3, becoming the first Democrat elected to the chamber from Texas since 1988. The Associated Press and other organizations called the race as part of a broader set of Democratic gains that secured control of the Senate.

Talarico, a state legislator, ran against Paxton, a Trump-endorsed candidate who has faced legal challenges in recent years. The victory ends a long period without a Democratic senator from the state. On the same night, Democrat Gina Hinojosa won the Texas governorship, defeating incumbent Republican Greg Abbott and becoming the first Democrat elected governor of Texas in more than three decades.

These statewide wins in Texas formed a central element of the Democratic performance. The party also flipped multiple House seats in the state. Talarico's campaign emphasized economic issues and accountability. Paxton's tenure as attorney general had included high-profile legal actions and personal legal proceedings that became campaign topics.

The Texas results contributed to the overall Senate majority for Democrats, who flipped at least seven seats nationwide. Combined with House gains, the outcome shifts control of Congress. Talarico will take office in January 2027. The dual wins for Senate and governor mark the first time since the 1990s that Democrats have held both offices in Texas.

Turnout in the state exceeded expectations in several urban and suburban counties. The results indicate shifts in voter priorities on costs and governance in a state that has been reliably Republican in federal races for years. Remaining ballots in some areas continued to be counted on November 4.