Democrat James Talarico wins Texas Senate seat, ending Republican hold
Talarico beat Ken Paxton, a Republican ally of Donald Trump, in a race watched closely as a test of control of Congress.
Key facts
Story- Democrat James Talarico has won the US Senate seat in Texas, per an Associated Press race call.
- He defeated Republican Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, in the 2026 midterm elections.
- The win ends a 38-year gap in which Texas Democrats had not won a Senate race in the state.
Democrat James Talarico has won the United States Senate race in Texas, the Associated Press said on Wednesday. He beat Republican Ken Paxton, the state's attorney general, in a contest that drew close attention as part of the midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.
The result breaks a 38-year run in which Democrats had not won a Senate seat in Texas, a Republican stronghold. Paxton is a close ally of President Donald Trump, and his defeat has been described as a major setback for Trump and for Republican efforts to hold on to Congress.
The Texas race was one of the most watched contests in the midterms. Its result is seen as a sign of how strong the Democratic challenge is in a state that has long voted Republican. Police have not said what margin of victory Talarico achieved.
Trump's allies had backed Paxton, who has been a loyal supporter of the president. Talarico's win gives Democrats a seat they had not held in Texas for almost four decades.
It is not yet known when Talarico will take office or how his win will change the balance in the Senate. The wider midterm results from other states are still being counted and reported.
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