Democrats have secured a historic win in Texas, with state Rep. James Talarico defeating Republican Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat. It’s the party’s first Senate victory in the state in nearly 40 years.
The race was called for Talarico shortly after 11 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The result is a setback for President Donald Trump, who backed Paxton over longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Some Republicans had considered Cornyn the safer choice in a difficult midterm environment shaped by economic strain and conflict abroad.
Trump repeatedly visited Texas, while his political operation and national Republican groups spent heavily to help Paxton. Still, Talarico prevailed, presenting himself as a moderate focused on Texans rather than the priorities of national Democrats.
The campaign was harsh. Talarico argued that Paxton’s record, including allegations of corruption and his impeachment by the Texas House, made him unfit for office. Paxton was acquitted by the state Senate.
Talarico said the seat had been held by distinguished Texans and argued Paxton had no place in the Senate. Paxton and his allies, meanwhile, portrayed Talarico as a radical, criticizing his support for transgender people and past comments about God being nonbinary. Paxton also labeled him a democratic socialist and compared him to prominent progressive politicians.
Trump gave Talarico a mocking nickname during the campaign and called him one of the worst candidates he had seen.
Trump’s decision to support Paxton over Cornyn also deepened divisions among Republicans. After losing the primary, Cornyn said he would not campaign for Paxton, whom he described as a flawed and self-centered candidate. He warned that Paxton would eventually face consequences.
The result came amid a difficult election night for Republicans. Democrats were projected to take control of the House, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was also projected to lose to Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa.
