Texas Senate Race: James Talarico Beats Ken Paxton, Ends Nearly Four Decades of Democratic Setback

US Midterm Elections 2026: James Talarico Defeats Trump Ally Ken Paxton in Texas, Ends 38-Year Democratic Wait

Democrat James Talarico has defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, delivering a historic victory to his party in the 2026 US midterm elections. The result ends a 38-year-long Democratic drought in Senate elections in the traditionally Republican state.

The Associated Press declared Talarico the winner on Tuesday night (local time). The outcome is particularly significant as Texas voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, giving the Republican candidate a margin of nearly 14 percentage points.

A Historic Win for Democrats in Texas

Texas has not elected a Democratic candidate to the US Senate since 1988, when Lloyd Bentsen won another term. The party’s last victory in a statewide election in Texas came in 1994, highlighting the scale of its electoral challenges in the state.

Paxton, who serves as Texas attorney general, had received Trump’s endorsement after defeating sitting Republican Senator John Cornyn in a fiercely contested primary. Trump and Vice-President JD Vance also travelled to Texas to campaign for Paxton and encourage Republican voters to turn out.

Talarico’s Campaign Focused on Cost of Living

At 37, Talarico is a state representative and former middle-school teacher who also studied at a Presbyterian seminary. His campaign centred on economic concerns, political accountability and the influence of wealthy donors and corporations in American politics.

He sought to broaden his appeal beyond the Democratic Party’s traditional voter base, while presenting Paxton as representative of a political establishment influenced by powerful interests.

Paxton attempted to portray his opponent as a radical liberal, making Talarico’s religious beliefs and social positions prominent targets of his campaign.

Paxton’s Impeachment Record in Focus

The Republican candidate’s record as attorney general remained a significant issue throughout the contest. In 2023, Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House over allegations of corruption and abuse of power. He was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.

The election also drew extraordinary financial attention. Advertising spending in the contest exceeded $500 million, making it one of the most expensive Senate races in US history, according to estimates cited by The Guardian.

Talarico’s fundraising helped him compete with the Republican spending advantage, while Trump and other senior party figures continued to publicly support Paxton. The final result marks a major development in the political battle for Texas and the wider 2026 midterm elections.