Texas turns blue as Democrats brew historic wins in Congress and governorship races

Show caption: Supporters celebrate while watching early results at an Elec…

James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton for Senate seat, and Gina Hinojosa knocks out incumbent Governor Greg Abbott

The National

November 04, 2026

• Democrats flipped Texas blue for the first time in decades, winning key Senate, House and gubernatorial races in the 2026 midterms.
• Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Governor Greg Abbott, becoming Texas's first Latina governor and first Democrat to hold the office since 1995.
• James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democratic Texas senator since 1993, having campaigned on fighting corruption and lowering costs.
• Democrats dominated several House races, with District 33 candidate Frederick Haynes III projected to win approximately 83 per cent of the vote against his Republican opponent.
• Mr Talarico campaigned on "fighting political corruption and lowering costs for Americans," signalling a broader Democratic message that resonated with Texas voters.

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Democrats have flipped Texas blue after winning key midterm races for US Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the governorship in a state that was long a Republican stronghold.

Gina Hinojosa, an Austin-based state legislator and former school board president, was projected to defeat incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who was seeking a record fourth term.

She will become the state's first Latina governor and its third woman. She will also be the first Democrat to enter the governor's mansion since 1995.

James Talarico, also a state legislator and former teacher, faced off against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Mr Talarico campaigned on fighting political corruption and lowering costs for Americans. He will be the first Democratic Texas senator since 1993.

Of the eight House races called by AP at the time of writing, Democrats had won seven. While most of the races were fairly close, Democrats won in a landslide in several.

In District 29, Democrat Sylvia Garcia was projected to win by 81 per cent of the vote over Martha Fierro, according to AP. In District 33, which covers parts of Dallas, Democrat Frederick Haynes III was projected to win over Republican Everett Jackson with about 83 per cent of the vote.

Texas was a safe Republican state for three decades, but amid growing disapproval of President Donald Trump, it appeared it might slide towards the Democrats in the midterms.

Republicans in the state legislature, in an unusual move, last year approved a mid-decade redistricting, targeting several Democrat-held seats.

Updated:

November 04, 2026, 4:21 AM