Democrat James Talarico won the US Senate race in Texas, defeating Republican Ken Paxton, according to US media projections. It is the first Democratic Senate win in Texas since 1988. Democrat Gina Hinojosa also unseated Gov. Greg Abbott.
Democrat James Talarico won the US Senate race in Texas, defeating state attorney general Ken Paxton, according to US media projections. Talarico is a Texas state representative, and his win gives Democrats their first Senate seat from Texas in nearly four decades. His win is the first time a Democrat has won a US Senate seat in Texas since 1988. The author says that year's winner was Lloyd Bentsen.
Talarico, 37, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018. He defeated Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary.
Earlier this year, Trump backed Paxton over longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 over alleged corruption accusations, and the Texas Senate later acquitted him.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa also unseated incumbent Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
