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Democrat James Talarico wins Texas Senate seat
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has won the Texas U.S. Senate race, ending the Republican Party's three-decade hold on statewide offices in Texas by defeating Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Talarico's victory is a significant setback for Republicans and former President Trump, who heavily supported Paxton, with Trump’s endorsement potentially acting as a liability due to his decreased popularity.
- Paxton, who had never lost an election since 2002 and defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff, faced challenges from negative perceptions related to past corruption scandals and personal issues.
- Talarico, a four-term state lawmaker known for his opposition to religious influence in public schools and strong fundraising efforts, gained national attention through high-profile media appearances, boosting his recognition and campaign resources.
- The race was highly competitive and expensive, with conservative super PACs heavily spending in the final months, but Talarico maintained leads in polls and fundraising for much of the campaign.
