Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has won the U.S. Senate race in Texas, according to projections from the Associated Press and CBS News. Talarico defeated Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending the GOP’s three-decade monopoly on statewide offices in Texas.
Talarico, a four-term state lawmaker from Austin, secured 60% of the vote, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. The race was one of the most expensive in Texas history, with spending exceeding $500 million by mid-October.
Immediate Reaction and Campaign Dynamics
Talarico’s victory was called early by multiple outlets, marking a significant shift in Texas politics. His campaign emphasized fighting corruption and lowering costs, while Paxton’s tenure as attorney general was marked by personal controversies, including a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House on charges of bribery, obstruction of justice, and abuse of public trust. Paxton was later acquitted by the state Senate. Additional reporting during the campaign revealed that Paxton spent New Year’s Eve 2024 at a Dubai party with two U.S. fugitives and a woman who was not his wife, though the Paxton campaign did not deny the reporting and characterized it as politically motivated persecution.
Paxton had defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a primary runoff to secure the Republican nomination, with the support of a last-minute endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Trump had campaigned extensively for Paxton, using the race as a national stand-in for Democratic opposition. However, Trump’s declining popularity may have contributed to Paxton’s defeat, as Paxton himself expressed concerns about Trump’s influence after a September campaign rally in Dallas.
Policy and Political Implications
Talarico’s campaign sought to expand the Democratic coalition beyond traditional bases, appealing to moderate and college-educated Republicans uneasy with Paxton’s scandals. A former teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, Talarico framed his progressive Christian values as a strength in a state where faith has historically been associated with conservative politics. His ability to connect with younger voters and churchgoing audiences was cited as a key factor in his victory.
The race highlighted broader trends in Texas politics, where population growth, increasing racial and ethnic diversity, and suburban shifts have created opportunities for Democrats. Talarico’s win builds on the momentum of Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 near-upset of Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, which Democrats viewed as evidence of the state’s evolving political landscape.
Campaign Spending and Final Events
Spending in the race reached record levels, with conservative super PACs aligned with Paxton outspending Talarico’s campaign in the final two months. Talarico’s final campaign event in Austin drew around 1,800 supporters, while Paxton held his closing rally in Allen, a city 220 miles north of Austin. Polls leading up to Election Day showed Talarico leading by margins of 5.9 to 7 percentage points.
The ballot also included Libertarian candidate Ted Brown and several write-in candidates. Talarico’s path to victory relied on strong performances in Travis County and nearby suburbs, while Paxton needed a commanding result in Collin County to offset Democratic gains elsewhere.
Historical Context and Long-Term Impact
Talarico’s win represents the biggest Democratic breakthrough in Texas politics in a generation, signaling potential shifts in the state’s political alignment. Democrats have long argued that Texas was changing faster than its election results suggested, and Talarico’s victory may accelerate this trend. The race also underscores the national stakes of Texas politics, as control of the U.S. Senate hinges on competitive races across the country.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, with independents caucusing with Democrats. With the vice president able to break a 50-50 tie, Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to control the chamber.
Reactions and Statements
Neither the Paxton nor Talarico campaigns responded to requests for comment from Newsweek on the morning of the election. Talarico’s campaign did not dispute the reported crowd size of 1,800 at his final event, while Paxton’s campaign did not provide details about attendance at his rally.
The Associated Press and CBS News projections were based on vote tallies and exit polling data, with no outstanding disputes reported as of the time of publication.