Democrat James Talarico led Republican Ken Paxton in early returns in the U.S. Senate race, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa led Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in early returns in the governor's race on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026. Both races remained uncalled as vote counting continued.
Where
Statewide
When
Nov. 3, 2026
Sources
Reported by 9 outlets
Taxes and money
Abbott proposes allowing voters to decide whether to eliminate school district property taxes for homeowners through constitutional amendment; Hinojosa proposes reducing corporate subsidies to help pay for property tax cuts and one-time $1,500 payments to Texas households from the Rainy Day Fund. [2]
School voucher program spending cap$1 billion2Who pays or receives it: State
Public-school funding package signed 2025$8.5 billion2Who pays or receives it: State
Teacher and school staff raises from 2025 package$4.2 billion2Who pays or receives it: State
Outside spending by Elon Musk in support of Paxton$200 million3Who pays or receives it: Elon Musk
Who's involved
James TalaricoDemocratic candidate for U.S. Senate; state representative
Ken PaxtonRepublican candidate for U.S. Senate; state attorney general
Gina HinojosaDemocratic candidate for governor; state representative
Greg AbbottRepublican candidate for governor; incumbent governor
The facts
Talarico held early lead over Paxton as of 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 3.1
Hinojosa had 56% of reported vote to Abbott's 43% as of 7:50 p.m., with about 38% of estimated vote counted.2
More than 7.7 million Texans voted early in person or by mail, 40.5% of registered voters, highest midterm early-turnout rate on record.3
Talarico is a four-term state lawmaker from Austin and former middle-school teacher.1
Paxton defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in primary runoff to capture Republican nomination.1
Hinojosa is Austin state representative and former Austin school board president.2
Abbott signed $8.5 billion public-school funding package in 2025.2
Senate race described as most expensive U.S. Senate competition in American history.3
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Talarico Depicted Paxton as embodiment of system corrupted by billionaire and corporate influence.3
Paxton Pitched himself as conservative fighter who would keep Texas red; attacked Talarico as socialist.3
Abbott School voucher program gives parents more options for children's education.2
Hinojosa Opposes private-school vouchers and state takeovers of local school districts.2
Talarico Opposed law requiring display of Protestant translation of Ten Commandments in public-school classrooms.1
Political science professors Early voters may differ from Election Day voters in political preferences and motivation to turn out.2
Where the sources disagree
Whether early returns indicate final outcome Talarico held early lead per [1,3]; Abbott's campaign expects Republicans to perform better among Election Day voters [3]; professors caution against assuming first returns represent all voters [2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Gina Hinojosa Leading Greg Abbott in Texas Gov. Race
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
As polls closed at 7 p.m. on November 3, early voting and Election Day results in the Texas lieutenant governor race showed Democrat Vikki Goodwin leading Republican Dan Patrick. Across Texas, with 6% of precincts reporting, Goodwin had 53% and Patrick had 45% of the early vote.
Vikki Goodwin, Democratic state representative from Austin, candidate for lieutenant governor; Dan Patrick, Republican incumbent lieutenant governor from Houston, seeking fourth term; Anthony Cristo, Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor and 1 more
Early voting results in the Williamson County judge race show Democrat Heather Jefts ahead of Republican incumbent Steve Snell. Jefts received 56.77% of early votes while Snell received 43.23%.
Heather Jefts, Democratic candidate for Williamson County Judge; Steve Snell, Republican incumbent candidate for Williamson County Judge; Harmon Rhea, Democratic candidate for Precinct 4 commissioner and 5 more
Mark Keough, Republican incumbent, won the Montgomery County judge race. He defeated Democrat James Graf. Keough served as county judge since 2019 and sought a third term.
Mark Keough, Republican incumbent Montgomery County judge candidate; former state representative; James Graf, Democrat Montgomery County judge candidate; business and finance professional
Voters in Texas' 28th Congressional District voted on November 3 to choose their U.S. House representative. Democrat Henry Cuellar, the incumbent since 2005, faced challenger Tano Tijerina, Webb County Judge since 2015, and Green Party candidate Marlon Duran.
Henry Cuellar, incumbent U.S. Representative (Democrat), representing district since 2005; Tano Tijerina, Webb County Judge, challenger; Marlon Duran, candidate (Green Party)
Polls closed in multiple states on Election Day for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats won Senate races in North Carolina and New Hampshire and the Georgia gubernatorial race. Two Florida Democratic House members won reelection in districts redrawn in Republicans' favor.
Roy Cooper, Democratic candidate who defeated Michael Whatley in North Carolina Senate race; Michael Whatley, Republican candidate defeated in North Carolina Senate race; Chris Pappas, Democratic candidate who defeated John Sununu in New Hampshire Senate race and 8 more
Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong faced a challenge from Dexter McCoy in a county judge race on Election Day. McCoy stated he would accept the race results.
Daniel Wong, Interim Fort Bend County Judge; Dexter McCoy, Candidate for Fort Bend County Judge
Montserrat Garibay and Arshia Papari are running for the Texas House District 49 seat vacated by gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa. Garibay, the Democratic nominee who won the primary with 61% of the vote, has raised about $540,000. Papari, running on the Green Party ticket, had raised $4,600 as of October 31. There is no Republican candidate in the race.
$about $540,000 for campaign funds raised
Montserrat Garibay, Democratic candidate for Texas House District 49; Arshia Papari, Green Party candidate for Texas House District 49; Gina Hinojosa, Texas gubernatorial candidate whose House seat is being vacated and 1 more
Several closely watched legislative races across North Texas could reshape the balance of power in the state legislature. These include Senate District 9, where Democrat Taylor Rehmet is defending his seat against Republican Leigh Wambsganss, and Republican-held House seats in Dallas County represented by Morgan Meyer and Angie Chen Button.
Taylor Rehmet, Democrat defending Texas Senate District 9 seat; Leigh Wambsganss, Republican candidate in Texas Senate District 9; Morgan Meyer, Republican representative in Texas House and 2 more