Texas elects a Democratic senator and its first Latina governor
Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, becoming the state's first Democratic senator since 1993, per AP calls reported by Spectrum News; Fox News' Decision Desk also called the race. Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott, who conceded at 10 p.m., and will be the state's first Latina governor. A Democrat had not won statewide in Texas since 1994; the last Democrat to serve as governor was Ann Richards, who lost that year.
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Why it matters
Texans will be represented by a Democrat in the U.S. Senate and led by a Democratic governor for the first time in decades. Hinojosa replaces Abbott, who was seeking a record fourth term.
How each side sees it
Sources
- Spectrum News: AP: Democrats win control of Senate, House
- Fox News: Talarico flips Texas Senate seat
- Texas Tribune via KSAT: Hinojosa topples Abbott
- KPRC Click2Houston: Abbott concedes to Hinojosa
- CBS News live: Senate flips
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