Talarico takes Texas Senate seat

James Talarico secured the United States Senate seat for Texas, according to a projection by CNN’s Decision Desk. This result delivers a loss to Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Talarico is 37 years old. He becomes the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate to represent Texas in 38 years. He is also the first Democrat elected statewide in that state since 1994.

The victory occurred in a state President Donald Trump won by nearly 14 points in 2024. This outcome ranks among the largest surprises in the 2026 midterm elections.

A Presbyterian seminarian and former teacher from Round Rock, Talarico was not widely known in Texas before starting his campaign in September 2025. He built support by making his faith a central part of his message. He also expanded his appeal to independent and Republican voters.

Paxton faced several issues during the race. His wife filed for divorce on biblical grounds. Paxton was indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015. The Texas House impeached him in 2023, though the state Senate later acquitted him. In 2024, he reached a deal with prosecutors to pay restitution to victims in the fraud case, which allowed him to avoid a trial.