The Austin state lawmaker ran on a message that America’s true fault line is between not the left and the right, but the wealthy and everyone else. He had not yet been born when Texas last elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
South Texas congressional Democrats Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar glide to reelection
Ahead of the 2026 election, Texas Republicans redrew congressional boundaries in a gambit to help the GOP keep control of Congress.
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Politics
Talarico, Hinojosa usher in new era as Texas Democrats oust several top Republicans
Texas Tribune reporters provide live updates as Democrats stun Republicans, taking several statewide offices for the first time in decades.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
See November 2026 midterm election results as votes come in across Texas.
Texans are voting in several high-profile races, including contests for U.S. Senate, governor, several legislative seats and more.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Ken Paxton and James Talarico close their Senate campaigns on home turf
To win, Paxton needs to keep the margin close in Collin County, his political home base. Talarico must earn epic returns in Travis County, the bluest part of the state.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Most polls have Talarico ahead of Paxton in the U.S. Senate race
We’re tracking all major polls in the U.S. Senate race to give Texans a fuller picture of where this race is headed. Paxton has been consistently trailing in the polls, but the margins are tight.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Inside the booth: Faith, economy and immigration inspired these Texans’ votes
Several races in Texas drew national attention. On the eve of the election, Texans share what mattered to them.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Paxton vs. Talarico: Five things to watch in Texas’ tight U.S. Senate race
A swing back among Latino voters, Harris County turnout and Republicans skipping the Senate race are among the trends we’ll be tracking as returns come in.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
More than 7.7 million Texans voted early in 2026 election, surpassing 2018 record
More than 40 percent of voters cast a ballot during the early voting period, passing the modern-day record set in 2018.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
National GOP women’s group denies involvement in transgender youth texts
A company that sent the messages named a Republican organization and an individual as the senders. The texts about LGBTQ+ support materials drew intense backlash.
