Democrats take 18 statewide seats in historic Texas sweep
The Nov. 3 election results give Democrats control of the governor's mansion, the House, and four Supreme Court seats, marking the largest shift in state power in three decades.
By Luis Medina ·
Democratic candidates claimed 18 statewide offices in Texas on Tuesday, a result that places party members in the governor's mansion, the U.S. Senate, and key judicial seats for the first time in decades. The sweep includes the lieutenant governor's office, the attorney general's post, and four seats on the Texas Supreme Court.
State Rep. James Talarico of Round Rock will replace Sen. John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate. Cornyn had served the state for 24 years before losing his Republican primary to Attorney General Ken Paxton by a margin of 28 points. Talarico told supporters at a rally in San Antonio that he intended to represent all residents, not just donors.
The shift in power stems partly from internal Republican dynamics. Incumbents Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick sought fourth terms, limiting advancement for other Republicans. Several sitting officials, including Comptroller Glenn Hegar, left their posts or lost primaries. This turnover created openings that Democrats filled across the ballot.
Democrats will now lead the Texas House while Republicans retain a majority in the Senate. Katherine Fischer, executive director of Texas Majority PAC, noted the new dynamic on a post-election call. She said the new lieutenant governor will have significant control over Senate procedures, altering the balance of power in Austin.
Ron Nirenberg, the incoming Democratic judge for Bexar County, expressed optimism about collaboration with the new state leadership. He told the San Antonio Report that if both sides performed their duties, major changes were possible. This optimism is driven by new allies in the General Land Office and the attorney general's office, who previously opposed local initiatives.
Jon Rosenthal, a Houston state representative, won a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission. Rosenthal, an engineer with a background in oil and gas, defeated Republican nominee Bo French. French had gained national attention for a social media post that led some Republicans, including Karl Rove, to question his candidacy.
The Texas Supreme Court moved from full Republican control to a five-to-four Republican majority. Democrats won all four contested seats, including the chief justice position. This change affects the court's direction on state law and its relationship with the executive branch.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals saw similar turnover. Democrats won all three contested seats, defeating incumbent Republican Justice Kevin Patrick Yeary. Two other long-serving Republican judges, Bert Richardson and David Newell, retired rather than run again. Richardson also lost a race for the Fourth Court of Appeals to Democrat Antonia Arteaga.
The newly created 15th Court of Appeals, which hears cases involving the state and the new business court, is now fully Democratic. All three incumbent Republican justices lost to Democratic challengers. Andy Sommerman, a Dallas County commissioner, noted that the court's original design assumed Republican control, a calculation that no longer holds.
