AUSTIN, Texas – Democrat James Talarico won Texas’ U.S. Senate race Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, according to Texas Secretary of State election night returns, a result that ends decades of Republican wins in statewide races.

With 253 of 254 counties reporting early Wednesday, Talarico had 5,185,702 votes, or 54.9%, to 4,071,022 votes, or 43.1%, for Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to the state’s returns. Libertarian Ted Brown had 1.9%.

In the governor’s race, Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin, had 4,984,516 votes, or 52.7%, to 4,331,410 votes, or 45.8%, for Abbott, who was seeking a fourth term, according to the returns.

Talarico: We just took back Texas

Talarico posted a video from his victory speech on X just after midnight Wednesday with the message, “We just took back Texas.” The post had been viewed more than 380,000 times within hours.

We just took back Texas. pic.twitter.com/xewCGiQ6pc
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) November 4, 2026

Video posted by James Talarico (@jamestalarico) on X.

Abbott conceded Tuesday night, saying, “There are still votes to be counted, but mathematically, we are not going to be able to win this election,” according to other local news sources. Paxton also conceded, according to other local news sources. Earlier in the night, Paxton thanked supporters on X, writing, “Thank you, Texas! From the first tour stop to the final hour, you showed up.”

Talarico will be the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas since 1988, and Hinojosa will be the first Democrat elected governor since 1990 and the first Latina to lead the state, according to other local news sources.

Democrats lead down the ballot

Lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin (D) 51.7%, Dan Patrick (R, incumbent) 45.8%
Attorney general: Nathan Johnson (D) 52.3%, Mayes Middleton (R) 46.0%
Comptroller: Sarah Eckhardt (D) 51.3%, Don Huffines (R) 46.3%

Those figures are from the Texas Secretary of State’s election night returns early Wednesday. More than 7 million Texans voted early before Election Day, according to Texas Secretary of State early voting figures.

Border counties

Zavala County gave Talarico 74% of its vote and Dimmit County gave him 69%, according to state returns. Val Verde County backed Talarico 6,360 to 4,940. Uvalde and Kinney counties went for Paxton. Maverick County’s early vote favored Talarico 6,064 to 2,243, according to county results, with Election Day ballots still being counted.

All results are unofficial until counties and the state canvass the vote.

Read our earlier coverage: Ted Cruz Warns Republicans Could Lose Every Statewide Race In Texas As Early Vote Nears 7 Million

Also read: Trump Rallies In Corpus Christi And Lubbock For Paxton As Talarico Holds Rival Rally