Democrats Win Texas Senate and Governor Races in 2026 Midterms
Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the 2026 race for U.S. Senate in Texas. In the governor's race, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Greg Abbott, according to NBC DFW.
Election Day was Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls were open across Texas from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The state holds its general election on a single set date in November of even-numbered years, which state law sets for federal, state and county offices.
Talarico's win flipped a U.S. Senate seat in Texas from Republican to Democratic. Reuters reported that he is the first Democratic senator-elect from Texas in 38 years, meaning a person who has won a Senate election but has not yet taken office. Talarico spoke to supporters in Austin on Nov. 3 after winning, according to KUT.
Vote totals from the Texas Secretary of State, updated Nov. 4 with 99% of results reported, show Paxton with 4,228,924 votes.
On NPR's All Things Considered, host Ailsa Chang interviewed former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, a Democrat, about Texas flipping blue and what it could mean for future elections. NPR carried that conversation. Davis was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2014, when she lost to Abbott by more than 20 points.
