Democrat James Talarico has defeated Republican Ken Paxton in Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate race, riding a statewide blue wave that swept Republicans out of office and ended more than three decades of GOP dominance in Texas elections.
Talarico, a state representative from Austin, becomes the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas since Lloyd Bentsen won re-election in 1988.
The victory marks the first statewide win for Texas Democrats since 1994, breaking a losing streak that had persisted through multiple election cycles despite significant national spending and repeated efforts to turn the state blue.
The race drew national attention as Democrats targeted a seat that had been held by Republican John Cornyn since 2002.
Paxton, Texas’ three-term attorney general, secured the Republican nomination after defeating Cornyn in a contentious primary runoff.
Throughout the general election campaign, Paxton sought to portray Talarico as a far-left Democrat whose legislative record and past statements were at odds with the moderate image he presented to voters.
Those attacks centered on Talarico’s positions on immigration, gender ideology, religion, and the oil and gas industry.
Talarico faced particular scrutiny over past statements describing God as “nonbinary” and suggesting there are six biological sexes. He later dismissed some of his previous remarks as “cringey.”
The Democrat also faced questions over his support for legislation aimed at restricting greenhouse gas emissions, even as he sought to reassure voters of his support for Texas’ oil and gas industry.
Talarico, meanwhile, campaigned heavily on affordability and opposition to billionaire influence in politics, repeatedly accusing Paxton and other Republicans of putting wealthy donors ahead of ordinary Texans.
Paxton received support from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who traveled across Texas in the final weeks of the campaign to encourage Republican turnout.
Talarico will take office in January 2027, joining Republican Sen. Ted Cruz as one of Texas’ two representatives in the U.S. Senate.
For the U.S. House, Republicans did not secure the newly redistricted seats in South Texas.
In the Laredo-based 28th Congressional District, Democrat incumbent Henry Cuellar defeated Republican Tano Tijerina.
In the San Antonio-based 35th Congressional District, Democrat Johnny Garcia beat Republican Carlos De La Cruz.
Democrat incumbent Vicente Gonzalez kept his seat in the 34th Congressional District, beating Republican challenger Eric Flores.
Additionally, in the McAllen-based 15th Congressional District, Democrat Bobby Pullido defeated Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz.
In the 23rd Congressional District, which covers the San Antonio suburbs and a large swath of West Texas, Republican Brandon Herrera was defeated Democrat Katy Padilla Stout. Herrera forced Republican incumbent Tony Gonzales into a runoff following the March primary.
Another seat that was redrawn in the 2025 congressional redistricting was lost to Democrats. In Harris County, Republican Alexandra Mealer was defeated by Democrat Leticia Gutierrez for the open seat.
