Democrats Sweep Texas’ Top Races in Midterm Election
Texans voted across the state on November 3, with polling places, campaign volunteers and election-night gatherings captured in scenes from Houston, Austin, Edinburg, Dallas, Waco and other communities. Voters queued at locations including a Houston multi-service center and a church in Waco, while election workers unloaded ballots and supplies at Harris County’s election headquarters.
The biggest outcomes came in the governor’s and Senate races. Democrat Gina Hinojosa won the governor’s race, and Abbott conceded at his election-night gathering in Austin. State Rep. James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the contest for the U.S. Senate seat. Hinojosa celebrated with supporters in Austin, while Talarico addressed supporters at the Long Center and later met them at a Whataburger.
The results prompted celebrations outside the Texas Capitol, where people gathered after the Democratic victories. Other scenes showed Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz greeting supporters in Edinburg and at a watch party in McAllen, and Paxton supporters praying at his Dallas gathering. The election also brought first-time voters to polling places, campaign activity for local candidates and demonstrations outside a Dallas voting center.
Texas Democrats Turn Midterms Into a Statewide Breakthrough
Texas voters rejected Republican control of two of the state’s most prominent races, electing Gina Hinojosa governor and James Talarico to the U.S. Senate. Hinojosa’s victory ended Gov. Greg Abbott’s bid for another term; Abbott conceded at his Austin watch party. Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, drawing supporters to the Long Center and later to a Whataburger in Austin.
The Democratic wins were celebrated at Hinojosa’s Austin gathering and outside the Texas Capitol, where people marked what the scenes described as a statewide Democratic sweep. Voters and volunteers turned out at polling places across Texas, while Harris County election workers handled ballots and election materials in Houston.
The results show a striking rejection of the Republican candidates at the top of the ticket. While Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz greeted supporters in Edinburg and Paxton’s backers gathered in Dallas, the state’s biggest election-night scenes centered on Democratic victories. Texans have chosen new leadership in races that will shape the state’s representation in Austin and Washington.
Texas Republicans Lose State’s Top Races in Democratic Sweep
Texas Republicans suffered major losses on November 3, with Gov. Greg Abbott conceding the governor’s race to Democrat Gina Hinojosa and Ken Paxton losing the Senate contest to James Talarico. The results handed Democrats victories in two of the state’s most prominent races and turned election night into a celebration for Hinojosa’s supporters in Austin.
Talarico spoke to supporters at the Long Center after defeating Paxton, then met supporters at a Whataburger. Outside the Capitol, people gathered to celebrate the Democratic wins. The scenes marked a sharp contrast with Republican watch parties: Paxton supporters prayed at his Dallas gathering, while Rep. Monica De La Cruz greeted supporters in Edinburg and McAllen.
The victories give Democrats the headline outcomes of the Texas midterms, while Republicans face the consequences of losing both races. Voters cast ballots at polling places across the state, from Houston to Waco, and election workers handled ballots at Harris County’s headquarters. The results establish the new political reality: Hinojosa will take the governor’s office, and Talarico will represent Texas in the Senate.
Reported by The Texas Tribune, KPRC 2 Click2Houston.
