State Rep. James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton in Tuesday's U.S. Senate election. Talarico will officially assume office at noon on Jan. 3, 2027, when the 120th Congress convenes.
Where
Statewide
When
Nov. 3, 2026 (election day)
Sources
Reported by 3 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Coming up
Sunday, January 3, 2027, 12:00. James Talarico officially assumes U.S. Senate office; 120th Congress convenes (Washington)2
Who's involved
James TalaricoState representative, newly elected U.S. senator
Ken PaxtonAttorney General, defeated in election
John CornynRepublican incumbent senator, previously held the seat
Ted CruzRepublican U.S. senator from Texas
The facts
Talarico will officially take office at noon on Jan. 3, 2027, when the 120th Congress convenes.2
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.
Democrats gained control of the U.S. House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections held November 3. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged Republicans lost the House majority.
James Talarico, Democrat, defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas U.S. Senate race; Gina Hinojosa, Democrat, defeated Governor Greg Abbott in Texas gubernatorial race; Ken Paxton, Republican Attorney General, defeated in Texas U.S. Senate race and 3 more
Democrat Taylor Rehmet, the incumbent, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss on November 3, 2026, in a race for Texas Senate District 9. This was a rematch of an earlier special election runoff.
Taylor Rehmet, Incumbent Democratic state senator, candidate for Texas Senate District 9; Leigh Wambsganss, Republican candidate for Texas Senate District 9; Kelly Hannock, Former Republican state senator who held the seat and left to serve as interim comptroller and 1 more
Democrat Jared Williams defeated Republican Tony Tinderholt in the race for Tarrant County Commissioners Court Precinct 2. Williams' victory gives Democrats a 3-2 majority on the commissioners court, and Precinct 4 was on track to flip as well, creating a potential 4-1 Democrat majority.
$$227,234.80 for annual salary for Tarrant County Commissioners
Jared Williams, Democrat candidate, former Fort Worth City Council member; Tony Tinderholt, Republican candidate, Texas House member; Alisa Simmons, Democrat who won Tarrant County judge seat
Two Democratic nominees for Texas Senate addressed supporters on election night as results came in. Abdul El-Sayed spoke at one watch party, and James Talarico addressed supporters in Austin.
Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic Senate nominee
Vicente Gonzalez, Democrat, won reelection to Congress from Texas' 34th District on Tuesday. Henry Cuellar, Democrat, won reelection from Texas' 28th District. Both overcame Republican challengers in traditionally Democratic South Texas districts that Republicans had redistricted to favor their party.
$$3 million for ad spending pulled from District 28
Vicente Gonzalez, Democratic incumbent, Texas Congressional District 34; Eric Flores, Republican challenger, Texas Congressional District 34; Henry Cuellar, Democratic incumbent, Texas Congressional District 28 and 2 more
The University of Houston student government held a "get out the vote" rally featuring Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa and promoted it on an official UHSGA Instagram page using official U of H branding. The university acknowledged an error was made, prompting questions about potential violations of state law barring public universities from using public resources to support or oppose candidates.
University of Houston student government, held event; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate who appeared at event; Christian Collins, Texas Youth Summit representative and 1 more
Texas voters turned out for the 2026 midterm elections on November 3, 2026. More than 7.7 million votes were cast during early voting in Texas, setting a record. Turnout increases included more Latino and younger voters.
Noah Mata, Voter in Amarillo; Jerry Baldauf, Voter in Amarillo; Virginia Magallanes Dunn, Voter in Amarillo
On Tuesday night, crowds gathered in downtown San Antonio honking, cheering, and waving signs to celebrate Democratic victories in the governor and Senate races. Residents and tourists filled Commerce Street from City Hall to the River Walk, with vehicles circling blocks displaying campaign signs.
Gina Hinojosa, Democratic governor candidate who won election; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate who won election; Cassandra Chavez, San Antonio resident celebrating and 6 more