Talarico, Hinojosa topple Republicans in Texas political earthquake

James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa delivered a political earthquake in Texas on Tuesday, defeating Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate and ousting Gov. Greg Abbott in a huge night for Texas Democrats that broke Republicans’ three-decade hold on statewide office. Democrats also led every other statewide race on the ballot.

The Associated Press called both races. They are the first Democrats to win statewide office in Texas since 1994. Talarico, a 37-year-old state representative, is the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate race in Texas since 1988.

Hinojosa will be the first Latina sworn in as Texas governor and the first Democratic governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995. Abbott conceded Tuesday night, ending his bid for a fourth term. He told supporters votes remained to be counted but that he could no longer win mathematically.

Hinojosa led Abbott 3,813,376 to 3,393,966, or 52.2% to 46.45%, as of the Texas Secretary of State’s 10:43 p.m. update, with 228 of 254 counties and 1,822 of 5,302 polling locations reporting.

Democrats lead down the ballot

Democrats also led the rest of the statewide executive races, though those remained uncalled:

• Lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin 51.21%, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick 46.46%, a lead of 344,446 votes
• Attorney general: Nathan Johnson 51.82%, Mayes Middleton 46.73%, 368,574 votes
• Comptroller: Sarah Eckhardt 50.8%, Comptroller Don Huffines 46.97%, 276,646 votes
• Railroad commissioner: Jon Rosenthal 51.97%, Bo French 46.34%, 404,525 votes
• Agriculture commissioner: Clayton Tucker 50.75%, Nate Sheets 47.46%, 236,711 votes
• Land commissioner: Benjamin Flores 50.82%, Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham 47.79%, 218,547 votes

Democrats were also ahead in all four Texas Supreme Court races and all three Court of Criminal Appeals races on the ballot, including against Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, who trailed Maggie Ellis 48.23% to 51.77%.

Most votes counted so far were cast early, and those favored Democrats. Republicans have dominated the smaller batch of Election Day ballots. Abbott had about 71% of those counted, compared with 26% for Hinojosa, so the races below governor and U.S. Senate could tighten.

The result also ends Mike Morath’s tenure as Texas education commissioner, The Texas Tribune reported. Hinojosa vowed to fire him if she won, and his term ends in early 2027.

Kerr County stands apart

Kerr County stayed solidly Republican. As of the county’s 9:05 p.m. report, with 9 of 20 precincts reporting, Paxton led Talarico there 67.77% to 30.12%, and Abbott led Hinojosa 70.91% to 27.53%.

Commissioner Rich Paces led independent Jeremy Walther 3,338 to 1,999, or 62.54% to 37.46%, in the Precinct 2 race.

All results are unofficial.