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Democrat James Talarico has won the Texas Senate race, defeating Republican Ken Paxton, according to projections by NBC News. This marks the first time a Democrat has won a U.S. Senate seat in Texas since 1988.
Talarico, a state legislator and seminarian, campaigned on issues of wealth disparity and corruption, often using Christian themes to appeal to voters. His victory is seen as a significant upset in a state that has been a Republican stronghold for decades. The 19th reported that Talarico's campaign focused on reducing unplanned pregnancies and treating abortion as a public health issue rather than a cultural war.
Paxton, who had the backing of President Donald Trump, faced a challenging campaign marred by personal scandals and a lack of support from some prominent Republicans. Despite significant financial backing from Elon Musk, who spent nearly $200 million on the race, Paxton was unable to secure victory.
Talarico's campaign strategy included appealing to independents and Republicans dissatisfied with Paxton's controversies. He also benefited from a surge in early voting, with more than 7.7 million Texans casting their ballots early, as noted by The Texas Tribune.
The race was the most expensive Senate contest in U.S. history, highlighting the intense battle for control of the Senate. Talarico's win is a significant blow to the Republican Party in Texas and a rebuke to the MAGA movement led by Trump.