Democratic · Texas
James Talarico
U.S. Senator-elect from Texas; Texas state representative
WonJames Talarico is the Democratic U.S. Senator-elect from Texas. On Nov. 3, 2026 he defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, 55.1% to 43.0% (AP data via NBC News, 99% in), flipping a seat Texas Democrats had not won since 1988.
2026 race
U.S. Senate, Texas
Result Won Won (flip): Talarico 55.1%, Paxton 43.0%
Biography
Talarico, 37, is a former middle school English teacher and Presbyterian seminarian from Round Rock who has served in the Texas House since 2018. He beat U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary. After the win he said his victory told Elon Musk, who spent more than $150 million to boost Paxton, that "Texas is not for sale."
Positions
- Get big money out of politics (CBS Mornings interview, Nov. 4, 2026)
Record
- Texas House of Representatives since 2018
- Former middle school English teacher
- Won 2026 Democratic Senate primary over Rep. Jasmine Crockett
Life & background
- Born in Round Rock, Texas, he was a middle school English teacher before entering politics. [Source]
- He studied for a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. [Source]
Coverage
People · News
Gina Hinojosa Beats Greg Abbott to Become Texas' First Latina GovernorPeople · Explainer
James Talarico Beats Paxton, Ending Texas Democrats' Senate Drought Since 1988Opinion
Opinion: The next generation didn't wait its turn, and that's why Democrats wonPeople · News
Talarico topples Paxton, ends Texas Democrats' 38-year Senate drought
Sources
- 2026 Senate Results: Democrats retake control NBC News (AP data)
- 2026 Senate midterm election results as Democrats win control CBS News
- James Talarico – Wikipedia Wikipedia