James Talarico Wins Texas Senate Race, AP Projects

Talarico projected to win Texas

November 3, 2026 · 11:42 p.m. Eastern

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has won Texas’ U.S. Senate race over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Associated Press projects, putting a Republican-held seat on course to change parties.

The Texas Tribune also reported Talarico’s victory. He would be the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988 and the first Democrat to win a statewide office in Texas since 1994, according to AP.

An election-night call is a projection, not a certified result. Officials will continue counting and reviewing ballots before Texas finalizes its results.

A Senate seat changes hands

Republican Sen. John Cornyn holds the seat now. Paxton defeated him in the Republican primary runoff in May, with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, setting up the general election against Talarico.

The projected Texas result adds a Democratic pickup as both parties fight for control of the Senate. AP has also called Senate contests in North Carolina and South Carolina for Democratic candidates. Other races matter to the final balance; the Texas result alone does not establish which party will control the chamber.

The campaigns

Talarico, a state representative and former teacher, emphasized everyday costs and criticized Paxton’s record, while Paxton argued that Talarico’s social positions were out of step with Texas, AP reported.

In March, Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett for the Democratic nomination. In May, Paxton won the Republican runoff against Cornyn, a longtime senator, according to the Texas Tribune and Axios.

Where the race was held

The Senate contest was statewide. The star marks the approximate Austin area, Texas’ capital, for geographic context; it does not identify a polling place.

Key dates

1. March 3, 2026 — Talarico won the Democratic Senate primary.
2. May 26, 2026 — Paxton defeated Cornyn in the Republican Senate runoff.
3. November 3, 2026 — Texans voted, and AP called the Senate race for Talarico.

Sources and visual credits

Associated Press: race call · AP: Texas Senate race · Texas Tribune: result and campaign · Texas Tribune: Democratic primary · Axios: Republican runoff.

Visual: conceptual paper-cut Texas, ballot and capitol illustration, not a photograph of an election event. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.