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Talarico Defeats Paxton in Texas Senate Race

2:16 AM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Politics Desk

In Short: James Talarico, a Democrat, won the Texas Senate seat, defeating Republican Ken Paxton in a historic upset.

James Talarico, a Democrat and former schoolteacher, secured the U.S. Senate seat for Texas, defeating Republican incumbent Ken Paxton in a historic upset. The Fox News Decision Desk called the race for Talarico shortly after 11 p.m., marking a significant victory for the Democratic Party.

Talarico's win is a major blow to President Donald Trump, who had thrown his support behind Paxton, a close ally. Trump's endorsement of Paxton, who was facing several allegations of corruption, did not prove sufficient to protect the Republican stronghold.

The race was marked by intense campaigning and bitter rhetoric. Talarico portrayed Paxton as unfit to serve, citing his impeachment by the Texas House for alleged corruption and other legal and ethical controversies.

Paxton's candidacy had raised concerns among several Republican leaders, who believed his controversies could jeopardize the party's chances of retaining the seat. Senate Republican leaders had warned that Paxton's legal troubles could make the seat vulnerable to a Democratic challenge.

Talarico's victory marks the first time Democrats have won a Senate seat in Texas in nearly four decades. The general election became a referendum on Paxton's three terms as Texas attorney general, with Talarico painting Paxton as a flawed candidate.

Talarico's campaign emphasized his background as a former schoolteacher and his commitment to serving Texans. He said, 'This Senate seat has been held by some of the finest Texans,' highlighting the significance of his win.

The live music rarely stopped at Talarico’s election night party, except for when it was confirmed that the insurgent Democrat had toppled Paxton. The celebration underscored the historic nature of the victory.

Background

What's confirmed

• Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in Texas' U.S.
• John Cornyn, 74, who lost the Republican primary runoff to Paxton earlier this year.
• The result was a major setback for Trump, who threw his weight behind Paxton and made the state a campaign priority.

What's still developing

• "And no matter how many commercials he runs lying about his record, James Talarico is a, simply put, a Democratic Socialist just like AOC. And just like the New York mayor, Mamdani."
• "The voters have spoken, and I want to extend my congratulations to James Talarico on his election to the U.S. Senate. I look forward to meeting him and offering my assistance with his transition as he prepares to serve Texans in the U.S. Senate."
• It comes after Trump opted to back Paxton over longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, earlier this year, who Republicans in Washington, D.C., believed would be a better candidate during a midterm cycle in which political headwinds, spurred by economic stress and war, pushed back against the party in power.
• "Ken Paxton should be nowhere near Lyndon Johnson's Senate seat. Ken Paxton should be nowhere near Sam Houston's Senate seat."
• "The name happens to be ‘Talafreako’ because he is one of the worst candidates I have ever seen," Trump said ahead of the GOP’s midterm convention largely meant to bolster Paxton’s struggling campaign.
• "I refuse to allow a flawed, self-centered and shameless candidate like Ken Paxton to risk everything we’ve worked so hard to build over these many years," Cornyn said after losing his primary earlier this year.
• Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, Ted Cruz, Dan Patrick, congressional candidates, and Texas whistleblowers are among those set to speak in Dallas.
• From James Talarico’s fight against Ken Paxton in Texas to surprising opportunities in Mississippi, Kansas, and Florida, they examine how Trump’s unpopularity, rising prices, and Elon Musk’s spending are reshaping the map.

Sources

• Fox Newslink
• International Business Times, Singapore Editionlink
• AFPlink
• Texasscorecardlink
• RTE.ielink
• Thebulwarklink
• Indiatvnewslink
• WarpBeat — background on James Talarico Wins Texas Senate Seat in Historic Democratic Victory link
• WarpBeat — background on Texas Senate Race Intensifies as Paxton and Talarico Rally Support link
• KHOU 11 — video link