The Economic Times

US Midterm elections 2026: James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race, ending Democrats 32-year statewide drought

Democrat James Talarico has defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the 2026 US midterm elections to win a Senate seat representing Texas. His victory marks a major political shift in a state long dominated by Republicans. It is also the first time since 1988 that Texas has elected a Democrat to the US Senate, boosting the party's efforts to regain control of the upper house of Congress.