A major gain for Democrats: James Talarico wins Texas 2026 Senate election, flipping seat in historic upset

A Democratic win in Texas

CBS News projects that James Talarico has defeated Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. The outcome would give Democrats a Senate seat in a state where they have sought a breakthrough for decades.

Talarico, 37, is a former teacher and Presbyterian seminarian who describes himself as a progressive Christian. His campaign focused on fighting corruption and reducing costs.

Paxton’s nomination and scrutiny

Paxton, 63, became the Republican nominee after defeating Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff. Cornyn had represented Texas since 2002, and President Trump endorsed Paxton shortly before the primary.

Paxton’s personal controversies and conservative positions were seen as improving Democrats’ chances. The race’s spending had passed half a billion dollars by mid-October, making it the most expensive contest in Texas history.

Campaign controversies and attacks

The Texas House impeached Paxton in 2023 over accusations that included bribery, obstruction of justice and abuse of public trust. The state Senate later acquitted him. During the campaign, reports also focused on his divorce proceedings and a 2024 New Year’s Eve party in Dubai; his campaign criticized the coverage and said he was being politically persecuted.

Republicans portrayed Talarico as too extreme, citing past remarks on veganism and gender. Talarico later described some comments as having “missed the mark” and being “cringey.” When Talarico missed more than a week on the campaign trail with what he called a bad case of the flu, Republicans questioned his whereabouts. His campaign released security camera footage that appeared to show him at his Texas home, and the attention then faded.

Implications for the Senate

Talarico’s projected victory gives Democrats a significant win as they seek control of the Senate. The result marks a notable shift in a state where their last Senate victory came in 1988.