James Talarico Defeats Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Race

James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race, flipping a seat held by Republicans and giving Democrats a statewide victory in a state they had not won since 1994. The Associated Press called the race, while NBC News and Decision Desk HQ also projected Talarico as the winner. The result has not been established as a certified final tally in the reported accounts. The seat became open after Republican Sen. John Cornyn lost his party’s nomination to Paxton. Talarico’s victory means Democrats will take over the seat Cornyn held for four terms. Talarico, 37, is a Texas state legislator, former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian. He is scheduled to take office on January 3, 2027. Election-night vote shares were snapshots taken as ballots were still being counted. With about two-thirds counted, NBC News reported Talarico leading roughly 55% to 43%. An Associated Press tally at 10 p.m., with about 67% counted, put him at 59.2% and Paxton at 39.2%. Neither figure represents a certified final result. Talarico campaigned on affordability and political accountability, arguing that wealthy donors and corporate interests held too much influence....