US midterms: Democrat Talarico flips Texas Senate seat

Democrat James Talarico. Photo: X

Democrat James Talarico on Tuesday won the US Senate race in Texas, flipping another seat for his party in a major blow to Republicans.

He defeated the state’s Attorney General and Republican candidate, Ken Paxton, a close ally of President Donald Trump, according to projections by NBC News and CBS News.

Paxton had also received strong backing from tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Talarico’s victory makes him the first Democrat elected to the seat since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988, ending a long Republican hold on the Senate seat.

The Austin-area lawmaker overcame heavy Republican spending, relying on grassroots fundraising and strong support in urban areas.

The result also marks the first time a Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas since 1994, according to the information provided.

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Speaking to cheering supporters at a victory rally in Austin, the Texas capital, Talarico said, “We defeated Goliath.”

“In this race, we went up against our own Goliaths: the richest man in the world, the most powerful man in the world, and the entire Washington, DC, establishment.”

Talarico also declared that the result showed that “power belongs to the people”.

Outgoing Senator John Cornyn congratulated Talarico on his victory and offered to assist with the transition.

The result came amid other Democratic gains that contributed to changes in the balance of power in the Senate.

AFP

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