Democrat James Talarico has defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, marking the first Democratic victory for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas since 1988.
Democrat James Talarico has won the U.S. Senate race in Texas, defeating Republican Ken Paxton, according to election projections from NBC News, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Talarico, a state lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian, becomes the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since 1988.
At approximately 10:04 p.m., the Associated Press called the election for Talarico, who led with 59.4% of the vote. Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, conceded the election at approximately 10:20 p.m.
Talarico, a former middle-school teacher, centered his campaign on economic concerns, specifically the rising cost of living, and corruption. He also utilized his religious background to address social issues. "We’re both Christians, and the Bible is silent on the issue of abortion. It means you and I both have to look at different scriptures to try to come to a conclusion," Talarico said at an October CNN event.
The race was one of the most expensive Senate contests in U.S. history, with advertising spending estimated to have topped $500 million.
Paxton, who defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a Republican primary runoff, was endorsed by President Donald Trump. The Republican campaign focused on Talarico's past comments regarding transgender issues and his religious views.
Paxton's campaign also faced scrutiny regarding his own record. In 2023, the Republican-controlled Texas House impeached Paxton on allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice, and abuse of public trust, though the state Senate subsequently acquitted him. Additionally, separate securities fraud charges were resolved in 2024 under an agreement involving community service and restitution; Paxton denied wrongdoing.
This victory marks a significant shift in the Texas political landscape, ending a three-decade Republican monopoly on statewide offices. The win contributes to a broader trend of Democratic gains in the 2026 midterm elections, which helped solidify a Democratic majority in the U.S. Congress.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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