Talarico wins
Texas State Capitol
Winner  ·  U.S. Senate  ·  Texas

Talarico Wins
the Texas Senate

The Associated Press has called the race for James Talarico, and NBC News projects the same result. Control of the U.S. Senate has not been called. Texas is still reporting votes.

Dem House, NBC projects
49–39 Senate seats, 10:13 p.m.
… Talarico, official count
James Talarico

Election Night Results

The Associated Press has called the Texas Senate race for James Talarico, and NBC News projects Gina Hinojosa for governor. Vote totals below refresh from the Secretary of State, which does not declare a winner. The national Senate card is an NBC News snapshot from 10:13 p.m. CT. Control of the U.S. Senate has not been called.

U.S. House

Democrats win control

NBC News projects

130Democrats called
69Republicans called

218 seats are needed for a majority. NBC projects Democrats finish with about 252 seats. The called totals above are an NBC snapshot from 9:33 p.m. CT.

National House results

U.S. Senate

Control not called

NBC snapshot, 10:13 p.m. CT

49Democrats
39Republicans

Democrats have flipped 4 seats, a net gain of 4. Twelve races are still uncalled. They need 2 more for a majority. Republicans need 12. A 50–50 Senate is broken by the vice president.

National Senate results

Texas U.S. Senate

    The Associated Press called the U.S. Senate race for James Talarico. The official Texas count is still loading.

    About James Talarico

    Teacher. Legislator. U.S. senator-elect from Texas.

    James is an eighth-generation Texan, former middle school teacher, and Presbyterian seminarian. Born in Round Rock, he earned degrees from UT Austin and Harvard University before teaching on the Westside of San Antonio — where he saw firsthand the challenges facing Texas families.

    First elected to the Texas House at 28, James quickly became one of the state's most effective progressive legislators, earning a Top 10 Best Legislator designation from Texas Monthly. He led the fight against billionaire mega-donors and corrupt politicians who have taken over Texas.

    The Associated Press has called the U.S. Senate race for James. He is set to become Texas’ first Democratic senator since 1993, with votes still being reported.

    "It's time to start flipping tables."
    James Talarico speaking
    🎓

    Educator

    Former middle school teacher; degrees from UT Austin & Harvard

    ⛪

    Person of Faith

    Presbyterian studying for Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Seminary

    🏛️

    Legislator

    Texas House Representative; Top 10 Best Legislator — Texas Monthly

    💪

    Advocate

    Type 1 diabetic fighting for affordable healthcare and prescription drugs

    Platform

    Fighting for progressive values and practical solutions for every Texan

    📚

    Public Education

    Defending public schools against voucher schemes, increasing teacher pay, and ensuring every child has access to quality education.

    🏥

    Healthcare Access

    Expanding Medicaid, capping insulin costs, and importing low-cost prescription drugs so no Texan has to choose between medicine and groceries.

    ⚖️

    Criminal Justice

    Reforming a broken system with accountability, rehabilitation, and equal justice under the law for all Texans.

    🌱

    Climate & Energy

    Investing in renewable energy, protecting Texas from extreme weather, and creating clean energy jobs across the state.

    🏳️‍🌈

    Civil Rights

    Protecting voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and the dignity of every Texan regardless of who they are.

    💼

    Economic Justice

    Raising wages, supporting small businesses, and building an economy that works for working families — not just billionaires.

    Legislative Record

    Real results delivered for Texas families in the state legislature

    $11.6B School Finance Reform
    $25 Insulin Copay Cap
    1st Pre-K Class Size Cap
    Top 10 Best Legislator — Texas Monthly
    Education Reform

    Education Reform

    Helped write the most significant school finance reform in 20 years, bringing $11.6 billion in new funding to Texas schools. Established the first-ever cap on Pre-K class sizes.

    Healthcare Access

    Healthcare Access

    Passed historic legislation capping insulin copays at $25/month and enabling Texas to import low-cost prescription drugs from Canada, saving Texans 60–70% on medications.

    Criminal Justice Reform

    Criminal Justice Reform

    Authored Javier Ambler's Law to end police contracts with reality TV shows and ensured all incarcerated minors have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma.

    89th Legislature — Full Bill Record:

    In the News

    Election night coverage of the Texas Senate race

    Associated Press

    Democrat James Talarico Flips a U.S. Senate Seat in Texas

    The Associated Press called the race for Talarico. He will become Texas’ first Democratic senator since 1993.

    November 3, 2026 Read More →
    NBC News

    Talarico Wins Texas Senate Seat, NBC News Projects

    NBC News projects Talarico defeats Ken Paxton and ends a three-decade Republican hold on a Texas Senate seat.

    November 3, 2026 Read More →
    The 19th

    James Talarico Wins Texas Senate Seat in Race Focused on Masculinity and Anti-Trans Attacks

    Decision Desk HQ projects Talarico will defeat Ken Paxton, which would make him the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Texas since 1994.

    November 3, 2026 Read More →

    Talarico Wins

    The Associated Press has called the Texas Senate race for James. The count is still coming in. Stay with the campaign as the rest of the vote is reported.