Democrat James Talarico won Texas’ U.S. Senate race over Republican Ken Paxton, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott conceded the governor’s contest to Democrat Gina Hinojosa during live election-night coverage, as confirmed by The Dallas Express newsroom.
The historic developments followed early statewide Democratic leads, but the Texas Secretary of State had not certified the results.
Talarico Wins Texas U.S. Senate Race
Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate contest, according to the previously confirmed Associated Press race call, delivering Democrats a historic victory in a state where Republicans have won every U.S. Senate election since 1988.
The Texas Secretary of State’s 10:24 p.m. Central update on November 3 showed Talarico with 3,814,107 votes to Paxton’s 3,132,327, giving the Democrat a lead of 681,780 votes.
Libertarian Ted Brown received 119,471 votes, while four write-in candidates collectively received 3,558 votes.
At the time of the update, 31% of polling locations had reported. That percentage refers to reporting locations, not the share of all ballots counted. The state’s results remained unofficial.
Democrats Lead Other Statewide Contests
Democrats continued to lead five other major statewide races Tuesday night, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s 10:24 p.m. Central update, with 31% of polling locations reporting.
Democrat Vikki Goodwin led incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 3,584,390 to 3,273,974. Democrat Nathan Johnson led Republican Mayes Middleton for attorney general, 3,616,329 to 3,285,751, while Democrat Sarah Eckhardt led Republican Don Huffines for comptroller, 3,537,178 to 3,296,489.
In the land commissioner race, Democrat Benjamin Flores led incumbent Republican Dawn Buckingham, 3,522,101 to 3,338,596. Democrat Clayton Tucker also led Republican Nate Sheets for agriculture commissioner, 3,514,953 to 3,310,774.
The Democratic leads extended to additional statewide contests, including railroad commissioner and several judicial races. However, the margins varied, and election officials continued counting ballots across Texas.
The state’s 31% reporting figure measures polling locations, not the percentage of votes counted. These figures represent unofficial results, not confirmed victories in the five contests.
Polymarket Political Donations Draw Scrutiny
Separately, Reuters documented a $1 million payment by Polymarket’s operator to Democratic-aligned House Majority Forward and approximately $1.3 million in combined contributions from Polymarket and CEO Shayne Coplan to Republican organizations and candidates.
The Anti-Corruption Data Collective examined concentrated betting activity in prediction markets. Previous Dallas Express coverage compared Polymarket odds with a Paxton campaign poll.
Unofficial Returns And What Comes Next
Texas counties release early and Election Day votes at different times, and the balance of outstanding ballots can affect apparent leads. The Secretary of State’s returns remain unofficial until election officials complete the required canvass and certification.
The Texas results follow a separate Democratic Senate pickup in North Carolina, which The Dallas Express previously covered.
