Democrat James Talarico has won the United States Senate race in Texas, securing a major victory for his party and ending a long period of Republican control of the seat. Talarico defeated Republican candidate Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and an ally of President Donald Trump, according to projections by NBC News and CBS News. Paxton had also received significant support from billionaire businessman Elon Musk.
The victory makes Talarico the first Democrat elected to the Senate seat since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. The Austin-area lawmaker secured the win despite substantial Republican campaign spending, relying on grassroots fundraising and strong support from voters in urban areas. The result also marks the first time a Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas since 1994.
Reacting to the outcome, Talarico said his campaign had faced opposition from some of the country’s most influential figures and the Washington political establishment. He added that the victory demonstrated that political power belonged to the people. Outgoing Senator John Cornyn congratulated Talarico and offered to support the transition. The result comes amid other Democratic gains that have contributed to changes in the balance of power in the US Senate.
Democrat James Talarico has defeated Republican Ken Paxton to win a US Senate seat in Texas. His victory ends the Republicans’ long hold on the seat and marks a major gain for the Democratic Party.
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