Texas Democrats swept the top statewide races Tuesday, winning the governor’s office and a U.S. Senate seat. Dallas voters rejected a city bond for the first time since 1978. Between Dallas and Collin County, voters turned down more than $1.26 billion in proposed borrowing.
The Dallas Express and WBAP broadcast from Fort Worth as the results came in.
1. Texas Democrats sweep and Congress flips
- Texas Democratic Sweep: What Winners Say They Will Change First
- Democrats Projected To Control House And Senate: What It Means For Trump
- Dallas Morning News Admits Undisclosed Campaign Tie In Hinojosa Endorsement
Why It Matters
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-District 49) defeated Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas), and state Rep. James Talarico (D-District 50) beat Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-Texas). State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-District 47) will preside as lieutenant governor over a Texas Senate where Republicans kept their majority. In Washington, Democrats won both chambers, according to The Associated Press, giving Senate Democrats control over when President Donald Trump’s nominees come up for a vote in the new Congress.
2. School choice, constitutional carry and the classroom
- Hinojosa Vows To Scrap Texas School Choice Accounts
- Can Texas Democrats Repeal Constitutional Carry?
- 564 Votes Could Flip Texas Education Board, Reopen Christianity And Islam Fight
Why It Matters
Hinojosa wants to end Texas Education Freedom Accounts. The state still lists February 1, 2027, for eligible private-school students’ final installment. Both chambers would have to pass a bill to repeal the program or change constitutional carry. The next state budget will determine future school choice funding.
Democrat Dana Van de Walker led board member Audrey Young (R-District 8) by 564 votes in unofficial returns DX checked Friday. That race could decide control of the board that sets standards for how Texas public schools teach about Christianity and Islam.
3. CAIR Action’s wins and Houston’s ICE order
- ‘Building Muslim Political Power’: CAIR Action’s Choices Win Top Texas Offices
- Florida CAIR Terrorist Designation Takes Effect After Court Ruling As Texas Lawsuit Targets CAIR Chapters, Including DFW
- ‘Elections Matter’: Houston Mayor Reverses ICE Policy After Democratic Sweep
Why It Matters
CAIR Action listed Hinojosa and Talarico as preferred candidates and fully endorsed Goodwin. At least 37 of its fully endorsed candidates won, including Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons (D-Precinct 2) in the county judge’s race. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a separate organization, disputes Florida’s state terrorist designations for it and its Florida chapter. A federal judge let the designations take effect in a preliminary ruling. A Texas lawsuit names CAIR’s Dallas-Fort Worth chapter.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire (D) cited the election when he announced a new order Friday. It directs city police to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they arrest someone for a jailable offense and find an administrative ICE warrant.
4. Dallas and Collin County voters reject $1.26 billion in bonds
- Dallas Bond Defeat Ends 48-Year Streak, Raises Police Funding Questions
- Bond Bust: Collin County Voters Shoot Down $817.5M Borrowing Plan
Why It Matters
Dallas put five projects in a single $443 million bond, including a new 911 facility and $82 million toward the $227 million police academy at the University of North Texas at Dallas. Voters already approved $50 million for the academy in 2024. City Hall must decide how to cover the share it sought Tuesday. In Collin County, the $475 million roads and bridges measure came closest to passing. It lost by 14,158 votes.
5. Dallas police staffing, Deep Ellum and downtown crime
- Dallas Police Force Falls To 3,427 Ahead Of Public Safety Review
- Alleged Deep Ellum Shooter Faces Federal Gun Charge, Seven State Counts After Halloween Violence
- Downtown Dallas Homeless Count Nears Record Low As Crime Falls 28%
Why It Matters
Dallas counted 3,427 sworn officers on October 27, down 20 from the end of September and 573 below Proposition U’s 4,000-officer minimum. The City Council’s Public Safety Committee takes up staffing and the Deep Ellum response Monday. Authorities allege David Yancy opened fire in the Main Street shooting that wounded seven people. Four people died in two separate shootings that night.
In downtown Dallas, October offenses fell 28% to 240, while a separate survey counted 19 homeless people. Downtown Fort Worth recorded 29 offenses in the comparison, which uses raw counts from differently sized areas.
6. Lockheed, DFW Airport and a Keller data center deal
- Lockheed Martin To Pay $29.5M After Fort Worth Suit Alleges Bias Against White Workers
- DFW Airport Hits Major Terminal F Milestone As $4 Billion Expansion Takes Shape
- Keller’s $1.9M Data Center Deal Limits City’s Opposition
Why It Matters
Lockheed Martin agreed to pay about $29.5 million to resolve federal allegations, including claims of bias against white employees in performance reviews, bonuses and pay decisions. Part of the deal resolves allegations a former executive raised in a Fort Worth whistleblower suit.
DFW Airport installed six sections of the Terminal F Skylink station and expects the first 15 gates of its $4 billion terminal to open in 2027. Keller’s $1.876 million settlement sets noise limits for a proposed Westlake data center near homes and restricts when the city can oppose the project.
7. Where to honor veterans
Why It Matters
The Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 11, in downtown Fort Worth. Arlington and Bonham also have Veterans Day observances.
