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James Talarico wins Texas 2026 Senate election, flipping seat for Democrats
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Democrat James Talarico is projected to defeat Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, marking a significant Democratic flip in the state for the first time since 1988.
- Talarico, a 37-year-old former teacher and progressive Christian, campaigned on fighting corruption and lowering costs, while Paxton, the 63-year-old Texas attorney general, faced scrutiny over personal controversies and impeachment allegations.
- Paxton was impeached in 2023 on charges including bribery and obstruction of justice but was acquitted by the state Senate; his campaign was further marred by reports of a controversial New Year's Eve party in Dubai with fugitives.
- The race became the most expensive in Texas history, with spending surpassing half a billion dollars, as Democrats saw an opportunity due to Paxton's vulnerabilities and conservative stance.
- Republicans criticized Talarico as too extreme and questioned his absence from the campaign trail due to illness, but his campaign dispelled conspiracies by releasing security footage showing he was at home during that time.
