A Democrat just won a Texas Senate seat for the first time since 1993. James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton to end a three-decade Republican grip on the state. NBC News projects this result after over seven million Texans voted early. The numbers show a massive shift in a state that has not seen this happen in decades.
This race cost more money than any other non-presidential election in U.S. history. The Daily Caller reports the total ad spending topped $500 million. Elon Musk alone spent about $212 million to support Paxton. Talarico secured $64 million during the third quarter, even with this massive cash infusion. That was the largest haul for any Senate candidate in history.
The Money That Could Not Buy The Win
Republican outside groups spent over $360 million trying to keep Paxton in office. They tried hard to make the nickname “Talafreako” stick like glue. RedState noted that these groups hammered voters with videos of Talarico’s past statements. They highlighted his claim that “God is nonbinary” and that “There are more than 47 genders.” The campaign also focused on his past comment that he “loved transgender children.” These attacks failed to stop the Democrat from winning.
Talarico also faced questions about his past views on free markets. Reason Magazine reports he once called capitalism an “oppressive system” linked to “white supremacy.” He has since changed his tune and now calls himself a “proud capitalist.” Voters seemed to accept this change or simply prioritized other issues. Decision Desk HQ projected Talarico would take the seat with 68 percent of votes counted.
A Voter Turnout That Shattered Records
Over seven million Texans voted early, breaking a record set in 2018. This surge in participation helped Talarico secure a 55 percent to 43 percent lead. Daily Signal reports that Talarico won the Democratic nomination in March. He defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett to get on the ballot. The primary runoff required Paxton to first overcome incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
Talarico ran on making life more affordable for everyday Texans. He wanted to raise the federal minimum wage and lower housing costs. He also pushed for property tax breaks for childcare providers. Paxton offered a plan to reduce taxes for homeowners and double the child tax credit. Yet the Democratic message resonated enough to flip the seat. This result changes the balance of power in the Senate.
The final count shows a clear victory for the Democrat in a red state. Talarico campaigned on border security and supporting law enforcement response efforts. Enhancing border infrastructure and road technology was what he pledged to do. Paxton’s campaign struggled to overcome the high turnout and the spending from both sides. The election proves that money alone does not decide every race. Texans have spoken, and the result is historic. This win marks a new chapter for Texas politics.
