Updated on: November 4, 2026 / 4:29 PM CST / CBS Texas.

Democrat James Talarico is projected to defeat Republican Ken Paxton , the state's outgoing attorney general, in Texas' U.S. Senate race, marking another major victory for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections.

Talarico, 37, campaigned on fighting corruption and lowering costs for working families, drawing a contrast with Paxton, whose political career has been marked by personal and legal controversies and staunchly conservative positions.