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Talarico, a 37-year-old state representative, built his campaign around the cost of living, accountability and a message that sought to reach beyond traditional Democratic voters.
Democratic Senate candidate Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks during a campaign event in Austin, Texas. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)
Democrat James Talarico on Tuesday night (local time) pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 US midterm elections, defeating Republican Ken Paxton in Texas to end his party’s 38-year drought in Senate races in the Republican stronghold.
The Associated Press called the race for Talarico, who defeated Paxton, the Texas attorney general and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump. The victory marks a historic breakthrough for Democrats in a state that Trump carried by nearly 14 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
No Democrat had won a US Senate seat in Texas since 1988, when Lloyd Bentsen secured another term. The party had also struggled to win statewide office, with its last such victory coming in 1994.
The result is a major setback for Trump, who backed Paxton after the latter defeated incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn in a bitter primary contest. The president and Vice-President JD Vance had also campaigned in Texas to boost Republican turnout.
Talarico, a 37-year-old state representative, built his campaign around the cost of living, political accountability and a message that sought to reach beyond traditional Democratic voters. A Presbyterian seminarian and former middle-school teacher, he portrayed Paxton as a symbol of a political system influenced by wealthy donors and corporate interests.
Paxton, meanwhile, sought to cast Talarico as a radical liberal and made the Democrat’s religious and social views a central part of his campaign attacks. His own record as attorney general, including a 2023 impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House over allegations of corruption and abuse of power, also became a major campaign issue. He was acquitted by the state Senate.
The contest was among the most expensive Senate races in US history, with advertising spending exceeding $500 million, according to estimates cited by The Guardian. Talarico’s fundraising operation helped him counter the Republican spending advantage, while Trump and other senior Republicans repeatedly rallied behind Paxton.
At A Glance
Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in Texas to end a 38-year Democratic drought in US Senate races in the state.
No Democrat had previously won a US Senate seat in Texas since 1988.
Donald Trump carried Texas by nearly 14 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
Advertising spending for the Senate race exceeded $500 million.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the 2026 Texas US Senate race, ending a 38-year Democratic drought for Senate seats in the state and marking a major political upset.
Ask News18About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has …Read More
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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