Democrat James Talarico Wins Texas Senate Seat, Defeating Ken Paxton
James Talarico became the first Democrat to capture a Texas Senate seat since 1988, beating Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton amid a high-profile campaign.
Democrat James Talarico secured a historic victory in a Texas Senate race, becoming the first member of his party to win a statewide seat since 1988, according to NBC News projections. The state lawmaker and seminarian defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Talarico’s campaign emphasized economic inequality, framing the contest as a struggle between the wealthiest 1% and ordinary Americans. He appealed to independents and Republicans dissatisfied with Paxton’s record, while drawing support from members of the Bush family and small-donor contributions nationwide.
Despite a $168 million advertising effort funded by Elon Musk’s super-PAC, Paxton was unable to overcome the voter turnout surge, particularly among Latino and young voters. Early voting data showed record participation in several counties, contributing to the Democratic upset.
"The top 1% of wealthy Americans want the rest of the country to fight with one another instead of keeping a check on those in power," Talarico said during his campaign.
Republican leaders, including Senator John Cornyn, refrained from explicitly endorsing Paxton, and some prominent Republicans publicly urged support for Talarico. The state House had impeached Paxton in 2023, though the Senate later acquitted him.
The result marks a significant shift in Texas politics, delivering a key Senate seat to Democrats while President Trump’s endorsed candidate fell short.