Democrats Win Multiple Texas Statewide Offices in 2026 Election
Democrats captured the U.S. Senate seat, the governor's office and several other statewide positions in Texas, ending decades of Republican control.
Democrats achieved a sweeping victory in Tuesday's Texas elections, winning the U.S. Senate seat, the governor's office and a number of other statewide contests. Former public school teacher James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for the Senate, becoming the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1988. In the gubernatorial race, Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa beat incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, securing about 57% of the reported vote and ending more than three decades of Republican control of the governor's office.
"Here's what Texas said today, loud and clear: Your government belongs to you," Hinojosa said in her victory speech.
"It has been the joy of my life to have the opportunity to be the governor of the great state of Texas," Abbott said after conceding.
Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin led Republican incumbent Dan Patrick in the lieutenant governor race, while Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson held a clear early lead over Republican Mayes Middleton for attorney general. In the comptroller contest, Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt was ahead of Republican Don Huffines, and Democrat Jon Rosenthal led Republican Bo French for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission. Democrats also took the lead in races for agriculture commissioner (Clayton Tucker), land commissioner (Benjamin Flores) and other offices. Early voting saw more than 7.4 million Texans cast ballots, representing over 40% of the state's 19 million registered voters.