Texas Democrats Win Statewide Offices and Take House Majority

Texas Democrats captured the governor’s office and a U.S. Senate seat and took control of the state House in a sweeping election result that broke the state’s Republican trifecta. They did not flip the state Senate.

Democrats crossed the 76-seat threshold for a House majority on November 4, after starting the election with 62 seats. They had won at least 14 Republican-held seats, and were leading in seven additional GOP districts. If those leads hold, Democrats would enter the legislature in January with 83 seats to Republicans’ 67. The party’s previous House majority ended more than 20 years ago.

Gina Hinojosa won the governor’s race, while James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate by more than 12 percentage points. The Senate race was called for Talarico shortly after 11 p.m. on election night.

Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat who has served in the legislature since 1973, announced she would seek the House speakership. At least 11 Democratic colleagues backed her bid. Thompson said she was ready to lead and bring people together.

The Texas Republican Party chair said the scale of the Democratic victory was unexpected. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee’s president called the House result a major shift and said investment in local organizing could make statehouse victories possible. The House leadership contest is the next step as the new legislature prepares to convene in January.

Texas Voters Deliver Democrats a Statehouse Breakthrough

Texas voters have overturned the Republican grip on the governor’s office and state House, giving Democrats control of two major parts of state government and a U.S. Senate seat. The result shows that even a state long considered safely Republican can change when Democrats build support district by district.

Democrats crossed the 76-seat threshold for a House majority on November 4, after beginning the election with 62 seats. They had picked up 14 Republican-held seats and led in seven more GOP districts. If those leads hold, the party will take 83 seats to Republicans’ 67 when the legislature returns in January. Democrats have not held the House majority for more than 20 years.

Gina Hinojosa won the governor’s race, and James Talarico beat Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate by more than 12 percentage points. The Senate contest was called shortly after 11 p.m. on election night. Democrats did not, however, win control of the state Senate.

Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat who has served since 1973, is seeking the House speakership and has support from at least 11 colleagues. Her candidacy brings an experienced legislator forward as Democrats prepare to lead the chamber. The Texas Republican Party chair acknowledged that the size of the Democratic win was not expected; the results show why investing in local races matters.

Texas Republicans Lose House as Democrats Sweep Key Races

Texas Republicans have lost the governor’s office and the state House, while Democrats secured a U.S. Senate seat in a sweeping reversal of the state’s political balance. The GOP remains in control of the state Senate, but its hold on two major statewide institutions has ended.

Democrats crossed the 76-seat mark for a House majority on November 4, after entering the election with 62 seats. They gained 14 Republican-held seats and led in seven additional GOP districts. If those leads stand, Democrats will hold 83 seats when the legislature returns in January, with Republicans at 67. The party’s House majority ends more than two decades of Republican control.

Gina Hinojosa won the governor’s race, and James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate by more than 12 points. The Senate race was called shortly after 11 p.m. on election night. Democrats did not flip the state Senate, leaving Republicans with control of that chamber.

Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat serving since 1973, has announced a bid to become House speaker, with at least 11 colleagues supporting her. The state Republican Party chair said the scale of the Democratic victory was not anticipated. The results put Democrats in position to shape the House agenda, while Republicans retain the Senate as the new legislature prepares to convene in January.