James Talarico Defeats Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Race

Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton to capture Texas's U.S. Senate seat, the first win for his party in that contest since 1988.

Preliminary results showed Talarico ahead once most ballots were counted. Talarico, a former middle school teacher who is also studying at a Presbyterian seminary, won the Democratic nomination by beating Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Paxton, the 63-year-old Republican nominee, had knocked out Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary runoff.

Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 on charges that included bribery and abuse of office, though the Texas Senate acquitted him. He later settled a state securities fraud case with community service and restitution payments.

Outside groups backed by large donations from Elon Musk spent heavily on ads attacking Talarico. His campaign decided against bringing in out-of-state surrogates.

Paxton canceled a planned East Texas rally on Thursday to appear with JD Vance. Right-wing accounts spread a false claim that Talarico had entered a mental health clinic in Ohio.

Talarico first won a state House seat in 2018 from a suburban swing district. He was born James Dell Causey in Round Rock, Texas, and was later adopted by Mark Talarico.