Democrats retake US Senate as Talarico wins Texas; Hinojosa defeats Abbott

Democrats have retaken control of the US Senate following James Talarico’s victory over Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, the Guardian reported on 4 November 2026. The newspaper also reported that Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated governor Greg Abbott, becoming the first Latina elected governor of Texas.¹

A change in Texas

The result ends a 38-year gap between Democratic victories in Texas Senate elections. The Guardian identified Lloyd Bentsen as the last Democrat to win such a contest, in 1988, and reported that Talarico would replace John Cornyn and become the youngest member of the US Senate.¹

At his election-night gathering in Austin, Talarico told supporters: “Tonight we defeated Goliath”, the Guardian reported. The BBC described supporters celebrating as television screens showed him projected to win. The BBC said Talarico won the party’s nomination contest against Jasmine Crockett, a US representative from Dallas.¹²

Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican governor Greg Abbott, becoming the first Latina elected governor of Texas, according to the Guardian. The newspaper identified Ann Richards, elected in 1990, as the last Democrat previously elected governor. Hinojosa and Talarico delivered the party’s first statewide victories since 1994. The BBC also reported Abbott’s defeat and said two members of the Bush family had supported Talarico.¹²

Campaign money and national support

The BBC put spending on the Senate contest above half a billion dollars and described it as the most expensive US Senate race on record. The Guardian separately reported that advertising expenditure exceeded $500m, citing campaign spending estimates. Those reports refer to different measures of expenditure.¹²

According to the BBC, Elon Musk contributed $158m to a super PAC supporting Paxton. The Guardian reported that Talarico accused Musk of attempting to buy the seat. It also cited Talarico’s campaign as saying it raised $64m in the third quarter, with 97% of donations below $100.¹²

Trump made several visits to Texas in support of Paxton and other Republicans, according to the BBC. The Guardian now reports that Talarico’s victory helped Democrats retake the US Senate from Republicans. The dossier does not give the final seat breakdown.¹²

Paxton’s record

Paxton was impeached in 2023 over corruption accusations and subsequently acquitted by the Texas Senate. The Guardian said Paxton settled an unrelated securities fraud case in 2024 by agreeing to perform community service, complete ethics training and pay restitution. Paxton denied wrongdoing in that case, according to the newspaper.¹²