The Blue Wave Hits Texas

Just before 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd projections started to ring that James Talarico would be the next Senator from Texas. With his victory, Talarico became the first Democrat to win statewide in decades.

Talarico, who was elected to the Texas House in 2018, is a former public school teacher who made corruption and affordability central tenets of his campaign. He contrasted those issues with his Republican counterpart, current Attorney General Ken Paxton.

As outlets began to call the race, Paxton's watch party at a Westin Hotel in Dallas dwindled to just a handful of people. Ted Cruz, who was scheduled to make remarks, changed his plans.

Shortly after 10:00 p.m. more outlets began to further call statewide races in Texas, including Gina Hinojosa as governor. Abbott conceded the election just a few moments later, noting that he had called Hinojosa to congratulate her on a victory.

In Texas, several other statewide candidates began declaring victory. Nathan Johnson, a former state senator, appeared to defeat Mayes Middleton to become the top law enforcement official in Texas. In a statement, Johnson thanked the voters and Texas and vowed to turn a new leaf at the AG's office. "It was time to turn the page and the voters have turned it," he said. "It now falls upon all of us who were elected tonight to meet the needs of a new moment."

Democrats also declared victory in a number of congressional races that had been redrawn through a redistricting bill last year to give Republicans an advantage. The new congressional-elect members include Letitia Gutierrez and Bobby Pulido, a famed Tejano singer who defeated incumbent Rep. Monica de la Cruz.

This story will be updated