November 6, 2026 | Texas Political News
Texas voters delivered one of the biggest political upsets in the state’s modern history during the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. Democrats defeated several prominent Republican incumbents, captured the governor’s office, flipped a U.S. Senate seat, and gained control of the Texas House of Representatives.
For decades, Texas had been considered a Republican stronghold. But the 2026 election dramatically changed the state’s political landscape, raising questions about the future of both major parties in Texas.
According to CBS News and the Associated Press, Democratic candidates Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico won two of the state’s most closely watched elections. CBS News+1
Texas 2026 election results
The following results reflect reported unofficial vote totals and projected winners as of November 6, 2026.
| Race | Democratic candidate | Republican candidate | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Governor | Gina Hinojosa | Greg Abbott | Gina Hinojosa (D) |
| U.S. Senate | James Talarico | Ken Paxton | James Talarico (D) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Vikki Goodwin | Dan Patrick | Vikki Goodwin (D) |
| Attorney General | Nathan Johnson | Mayes Middleton | Nathan Johnson (D) |
| Texas House | Democratic candidates | Republican candidates | Democratic majority |
Sources: CBS News, Associated Press and Texas Municipal League. CBS News+2
1. Gina Hinojosa defeats Governor Greg Abbott
One of the biggest surprises of election night came when Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
**Reported vote totals:**
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Gina Hinojosa (D) | 5,231,979 | 52.82% |
| Greg Abbott (R) | 4,525,393 | 45.69% |
| Pat Dixon (Other) | 148,121 | 1.50% |
Source: Associated Press results published by Fox News, with approximately 99% reporting. Fox News Texas Elections
Abbott conceded the election on November 3, acknowledging that the remaining uncounted ballots would not be enough to overcome Hinojosa’s lead.
Hinojosa’s victory is historic for several reasons. She is set to become Texas’ first Democratic governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995, as well as the first Latina governor in the state’s history.
The result represents a major setback for the Texas Republican Party, which had controlled the governor’s office for more than three decades.
2. James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in U.S. Senate race
Texas Democrats also celebrated a major victory in the U.S. Senate election.
Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, flipping a seat that Republicans had held for decades.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| James Talarico (D) | 5,446,309 | 55.09% |
| Ken Paxton (R) | 4,250,166 | 42.99% |
| Ted Brown (Other) | 190,293 | 1.92% |
Source: Associated Press results published by Fox News, with approximately 99% reporting. Fox News Texas Elections
The victory makes Talarico the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas since 1988.
Paxton, who had served as Texas attorney general, congratulated Talarico following his defeat.
The election attracted national attention and extraordinary campaign spending. Advertising expenditures exceeded $500 million, making the contest one of the most expensive Senate races in American history. CBS News+1
3. Democrats win additional statewide offices
The Democratic victories extended beyond the governor’s mansion and U.S. Senate.
Vikki Goodwin defeated incumbent Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, while Nathan Johnson won the attorney general’s race against Republican Mayes Middleton.
Other Democratic winners included Sarah Eckhardt for comptroller, Benjamin Flores for land commissioner, Clayton Tucker for agriculture commissioner, and Jon Rosenthal for railroad commissioner.
Rosenthal’s victory was particularly significant because the Texas Railroad Commission regulates the state’s oil and gas industry. His win ended decades of Republican dominance of the commission’s elected seats. Texas Election Results+1
4. Democrats take control of the Texas House
Democrats also secured a majority in the Texas House of Representatives for the first time since the 2002 elections.
However, Republicans retained control of the Texas Senate.
This creates a divided state legislature. Democratic lawmakers will have greater influence over the state’s budget and legislative priorities, but major legislation will still require cooperation between the two chambers.
Potential areas of disagreement include education funding, property taxes, abortion policy, energy regulation and voting laws. AP News
5. Texas voter turnout reaches historic levels
Texas experienced record-setting participation in the 2026 midterm election.
Approximately 9.9 million ballots were cast statewide, according to unofficial election figures.
CBS News reported that turnout reached approximately 51.64% of registered voters, with major North Texas counties recording particularly strong participation. CBS News+1
The high turnout helped produce one of the most consequential statewide elections in decades. However, turnout alone does not establish why voters supported particular candidates.
6. What the Texas election means for Donald Trump and Republicans
The election results represent a significant political challenge for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
Republicans lost the Texas governorship, a U.S. Senate seat and several statewide offices. Nationally, CBS News projected that Democrats would gain control of both chambers of Congress.
The results could complicate Trump’s legislative agenda during the final two years of his presidency. A Democratic-controlled Congress would have greater authority to conduct oversight, hold hearings and challenge administration policies.
Trump congratulated Democrats following their election victories and said he looked forward to working with them. He also indicated that he would use presidential veto powers when necessary. CBS News
7. Is Texas becoming a Democratic state?
The 2026 election provides evidence that Democrats can compete successfully in statewide Texas elections.
Nevertheless, a single election does not necessarily establish a permanent political realignment.
Republicans retained important congressional districts and control of the Texas Senate. Future elections will help determine whether the 2026 Democratic victories represent a lasting shift or an unusually strong election cycle for the party.
For both parties, the next challenge will be turning election results into effective governance and maintaining voter support.
Conclusion: A historic turning point for Texas
The November 3, 2026, midterm elections fundamentally altered the political balance in Texas.
Democrats won the governor’s office, flipped a U.S. Senate seat, gained control of the Texas House and captured several other statewide positions.
Republicans, meanwhile, face the task of rebuilding support after significant losses in a state they had dominated for decades.
The central question now is whether the 2026 election marks the beginning of a lasting political transformation in Texas or a temporary rejection of Republican leadership.
That question will shape the state’s political debate heading into the next election cycle.
Full Texas election results
Readers can explore additional races, including county-by-county totals and congressional districts, through these election trackers:
- The Texas Tribune — 2026 Texas election results
- Texas statewide unofficial election totals
- CBS News Texas — Election coverage
Editor’s note: Vote totals in this article are reported unofficial results and may change before final certification. Projected winners are distinguished from certified election outcomes.
