Trump rips Abbott after historic Democratic win: Texas election recap

Democrats poised for sweep of Texas statewide races

Adam Powell

After decisive victories in the U.S. Senate and governor’s races, Democrats led the rest of the Texas statewide ballot Tuesday night.

With 233 of 254 counties reporting, Democrat Vikki Goodwin led incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick 51% to 47%, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office. Democrat Nathan Johnson also led Republican Mayes Middleton 51% to 47% in the attorney general’s race.

Democrats also held leads in races for comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner, as well as four Texas Supreme Court seats.

Trump slams Abbott over Texas governor race loss

Mateo Rosiles

In a social media post, President Trump slammed Gov. Abbott over his loss in the Texas gubernatorial race."If Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, hadn’t become a RINO in the last six months of his Political Life, he wouldn’t have lost. He went back to his original formula, and it wasn’t pretty!" Trump wrote.

James Talarico defeats Ken Paxton in Texas US Senate race

Aaron A. Bedoya

Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in a closely watched U.S. Senate race in Texas, flipping a seat long held by Republicans.

Talarico’s victory moves Democrats closer to Senate control as the battle for the chamber’s majority continues. Democrats were also projected to win control of the U.S. House.

Abbott concedes Texas gubernatorial race to Hinojosa

Mateo Rosiles

At his watch party in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott announced he was conceding the governorship to Gina Hinojosa."After looking at all the details of every county in the entire state, I made the decision to go ahead and call Gina Hinojosa and congratulate her on winning this race for governor of the state of Texas," Abbott said.

Talarico voters remain hopeful as results come in

Mateo Rosiles

Democrat James Talarico's supporters remain hopeful as election results continue to pour in for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas.

Katie Graham, watching results come in at Talarico's watch party in Austin, said she feels good about what she is seeing so far.

"I'm feeling good, but I'd love a proper call," she said.

As of 10 p.m., Talarico has earned 54.2% of the 6,607,697 votes counted so far, according to the Secretary of State's website.

Texas hopes of turning blue might become reality

Mateo Rosiles

Most voters are wondering whether Texas will turn blue tonight, as early polling shows Democrat James Talarico ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in the state's U.S. Senate race.

A CNN projection forecasts that Democrats will win control of the House.

As of 9:10 p.m., Talarico has earned 56.33% of the 6,026,407 votes counted so far, with Paxton at 42.04%, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website.

James Talarico expands early lead over Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race

Adam Powell

With 155 of Texas’ 254 counties reporting results, Democrat James Talarico held a double-digit lead over Republican Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race.

The latest totals from the Texas Secretary of State’s office showed Talarico leading Paxton 56% to 42%.

Gina Hinojosa pulls ahead in Texas governor's race

Mateo Rosiles

With 131 counties reporting their votes, Democrat Gina Hinojosa has pulled ahead of Republican Greg Abbott, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website as of 8:30 p.m. CT.

Here's the breakdown:

Hinojosa — 54.19% (2,112,237 votes).

Abbott — 44.5% (1,734,4877 votes).

Total votes counted: 3,897,537.

James Talarico takes early lead over Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race

Aaron A. Bedoya

Democrat James Talarico has taken an early double-digit lead over Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race. The race remained too early to call Tuesday night as officials continued counting ballots.

With 107 of Texas’ 254 counties reporting results, Talarico led Paxton 54% to 44%, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office. The latest totals marked a shift from an earlier round, when Talarico trailed Paxton by 6 percentage points.

The latest figures represented just over 5% of polling places reporting statewide, leaving most of the vote still outstanding.

Democratic candidate Malik Williams hosts Lubbock watch party with drag show

Brandi D. Addison

A drag show takes the stage at Democratic candidate Malik Williams’ election night watch party in Lubbock as supporters gather to watch election results. Williams is running for Texas House District 83.

Mood is lively at Gina Hinojosa's gubernatorial watch party

Mateo Rosiles

The mood is light and hopeful, with cheers and applause as supporters of Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate in Texas's gubernatorial race, watch as early results pour in.

According to the Texas Secretary of State's website, Hinojosa has received 43% of the vote, with 63 counties reporting as of 7:50 p.m. Central Time.

Ken Paxton holds shrinking lead over Talarico in early Texas results

Adam Powell

With 48 of 254 counties reporting, Republican Ken Paxton is holding a shrinking lead over Democrat James Talarico in early voting totals.

The latest early voting totals from the Texas Secretary of State's office showed Paxton at 56% and Talarico at 42%. Currently, just under 2% of polling locations have reported early voting totals.

These results reflect early voting numbers from polls that closed at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time. Polls remain open until 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Texas starts to see early election returns

Mateo Rosiles

The polls have closed, and several counties have already reported their early-voting returns to the Texas Secretary of State.

In Texas, the 254 counties decide when to release their early-voting returns. Here is where the race stands as of 7:15 p.m. Central Time.

Texas Senate election results

Ken Paxton (R) — 8,690 votes

James Talarico (D) — 3,566 votes

Votes counted so far: 7 of 254 counties reporting.

Texas governor election results

Gov. Greg Abbott(R) — 9,009 votes

Gina Hinojosa (D) — 3,451 votes.

Votes counted so far: 7 of 254 counties reporting.

Paxton maintains early lead in US Senate contest

Adam Powell

With 23 of 254 counties reporting, Republican Ken Paxton is off to an early lead in the U.S. Senate race.

Early voting results from the Texas Secretary of State's office showed Paxton with 30,005 votes (63%), compared with 16,525 votes (35%) for Democratic challenger James Talarico.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time in most of Texas, but are open until 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time in the border region.

Polls are closed in most of Texas. When will we know who won?

Mateo Rosiles

The polls have closed in all of Texas except El Paso and Hudspeth counties, which have another hour before they close.

The Texas Secretary of State's Office will publish statewide and district-level election results through its Election Night Returns portal.

However, these are unofficial results. They won't become official until election officials review and canvass the results before the appropriate authority certifies the outcome and issues a certificate of election.

1 hour before polls close in Texas

Mateo Rosiles

The first set of polls in Texas closes at 7 p.m. Central Time. People in line by 7 p.m. can still vote.

Texans can check their local election offices or the Texas Secretary of State's website to see where they can vote today.

2 hours till polls close in most of Texas

Mateo Rosiles and John Oliva

The first set of polls in Texas closes at 7 p.m. Central Time. People in line by 7 p.m. can still vote.

Texans can check their local election offices or the Texas Secretary of State's website to see where they can vote today.

A look at voting in Wichita Falls, North Texas

Mateo Rosiles and Naomi Skinner

Reporter Naomi Skinner from Wichita Falls Times Record News, part of the USA TODAY Network, reports that lines aren't long in the North Texas city.

However, it, like most of Texas, has seen record voter turnout during early voting. The Times Record News reports that preliminary numbers from Wichita County show 25,433 people voted from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30.

That represents 32.3% of the county's 78,740 registered voters, according to the county election supervisor’s office.

A look around Texas as voters cast their ballots

Mateo Rosiles

More than 19 million voters in Texas are registered and able to cast their decisive ballot in this election cycle.

So far, more than 7.7 million Texans have voted early ahead of the 2026 midterms, according to figures through Oct. 30.

Here's a look at voters casting their ballots across the state.

When do Texas elections end?

Mateo Rosiles

The final day to vote is today, Nov. 3.

Polls close at 7 p.m. local time. Under Texas law, those in line by 7 p.m. must be allowed to vote.

Check with your local elections office or the Texas Secretary of State's website to see where you can vote today.

Trump makes final pitch to Texas for Ken Paxton

Mateo Rosiles

In a social media post, President Trump made a final pitch to Texas voters for his Republican candidate in the Texas U.S. Senate race, as 7.7 million have already voted during early voting.

"I know Ken well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a WINNER! Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate," Trump wrote.

Trump also took a moment to criticize Paxton's Democratic opponent, James Talarico, as a final poll from the New York Times/Siena University, released Nov. 1, shows Talarico leading Republican Paxton, 50% to 43%.

DJs playing at Texas polling locations

Mateo Rosiles

DJs at the Polls is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit initiative that turns Election Day into a celebration to make showing up to vote feel like a welcoming community event. 

The organization employs local DJs to play neighborhood favorites to celebrate democracy, with them being at 432 polling places in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Killeen areas this year.

Reporter Maria Cortes Gonzalez from the El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, spoke with one of those DJs at a polling location in El Paso.

Why Sen. John Cornyn says he won't vote for Texas Republican Bo French

Brandi D. Addison

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said he would not vote for fellow Republican Bo French in the Texas Railroad Commission race after French posted a photo of South Asian students celebrating a University of Texas football victory and described them as evidence of Americans being displaced by “foreigners.”

“He’s an embarrassment to the Republican Party,” Cornyn said in September, criticizing French's comments. Cornyn said he might leave the Railroad Commission race blank rather than vote for French or his Democratic opponent, Jon Rosenthal.

Why Trump left Texas Railroad Commission candidate Bo French off endorsement list

Brandi D. Addison

President Donald Trump endorsed most Republican nominees for statewide office in Texas ahead of the Nov. 3 election but left Railroad Commission candidate Bo French off his list.

Trump's Oct. 22 endorsement post named candidates including U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. French, who is running against Democrat Jon Rosenthal, was not included. Trump did not explain the omission.

French has faced criticism from fellow Republicans over social media posts, including one targeting South Asian students celebrating a University of Texas football win over Ohio State.

Tarrant County Young Republicans chair resigns after backing Democrat

Brandi D. Addison

Hillary Shepheard, chair of the Tarrant County Young Republicans, resigned after publicly saying she planned to vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal over Republican Bo French in the Texas Railroad Commission race. French previously served as chair of the same organization.

Tarrant County includes Fort Worth, Texas' fourth-largest city and the nation's 12th-largest.

Over the weekend, Shepheard told The Atlantic she would leave the U.S. Senate race blank rather than vote for Republican Ken Paxton or Democrat James Talarico. She said she did not realize Texas Young Republican Federation policy prohibited board members from publicly stating an intention to vote for a non-Republican.

In her resignation statement, Shepheard said she stood by her decision, citing the importance of character and conservative principles.

Who's on the ballot statewide beyond Texas Senate, governor's races

Mateo Rosiles

All 38 U.S. House of Representatives seats are on the ballot today in their respective districts, along with several other statewide offices, including:

• Lieutenant Governor: Dan Patrick (R) vs. Vikki Goodwin (D).
• Attorney General: Mayes Middleton (R) vs. Nathan Johnson (D).
• Comptroller of Public Accounts: Don Huffines (R) vs. Sarah Eckhardt (D).
• Commissioner of the General Land Office: Dawn Buckingham (R) vs. Benjamin Flores (D).
• Commissioner of Agriculture: Nate Sheets (R) vs. Clayton Tucker (D).
• Railroad Commissioner: Bo French (R) vs. Jon Rosenthal (D).

Texas Senate forecast projects different voting patterns by race

Brandi D. Addison

Aforecast of the 2026 Texas U.S. Senate race projects significant differences in support among demographic groups, with white voters favoring Republican Ken Paxton and Hispanic and Black voters favoring Democrat James Talarico.

The model estimates white voters will make up 57% of the electorate, Hispanic voters 25%, Black voters 11% and other voters 6%.

Its projected margins are:

• White voters: Paxton by 21 points.
• Hispanic voters: Talarico by 25 points.
• Black voters: Talarico by 78 points.
• Other voters: Talarico by 13 points.

The estimates are from the Oct. 31 forecast published by The O.Elections. They are model projections, not a poll or actual vote totals.

What are the odds in the Texas governor’s race?

Mateo Rosiles

Here's a look at the two biggest prediction markets as of 8 a.m. on Nov. 3 and what they say about the Texas governor's race.

Who will win the Texas governor's race between Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa?

Polymarket: Abbott 64%, Hinojosa 37%. Market volume = $3,075,821.

Kalshi:Abbott 65%, Hinojosa 35%. Market volume = $19,191,934.

Who will win the Texas Senate and governor's races (combo)?

Combo markets price specific split-ticket outcomes, letting traders bet on both races together.

Polymarket: Market volume = $104,726.

• Greg Abbott and James Talarico win — 42%
• Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico win — 35%
• Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton win — 26%
• Gina Hinojosa and Ken Paxton win — less than 1%

Kalshi: Market volume = $1,605,777.

• Greg Abbott and James Talarico win — 44%
• Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico win — 33%
• Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton win — 29%
• Gina Hinojosa and Ken Paxton win — less than 1%

Recent Texas governor race polls

Mateo Rosiles

For the first time in more than three decades, a Texas Democrat is heading into November within striking distance of the governor's mansion — and she would make history if she wins.

Hinojosa, a five-term Austin lawmaker, is polling within the margin of error against Abbott — a three-term incumbent who has never won reelection by fewer than 11 points in the past few months.

A final poll from the New York Times/Siena University, released Nov. 1, shows Hinojosa and Abbott are statistically tied, 48% to 47%.

Recent Abbott-Hinojosa governor polls

Here's what October polls showed:

• U of H Hobby poll (Oct. 18) —  Abbott 49%, Hinojosa 46%.
• Marist poll (Oct. 14) — Abbott 49%, Hinojosa 45%.
• UT/Texas Politics Project (Oct. 13)— Hinojosa 49%, Abbott 48%
• ReconMR (Oct. 13) — Abbott 48%, Hinojosa 47%
• UMass Lowell (Oct. 8) — Abbott 48%, Hinojosa 44%.
• YouGov poll (Oct. 6) — Hinojosa 48%, Abbott 47%.
• The New York Times (Oct. 3) — Hinojosa 49%, Abbott 46%.
• Fox News(Oct. 1)— Abbott 52%, Hinojosa 47%.

What are the odds in Texas Senate race?

Mateo Rosiles

Here's a look at the two biggest prediction markets as of 8 a.m. on Nov. 3 and what they are saying about the Texas Senate race.

Who will win the Texas U.S. Senate race between Ken Paxton, James Talarico?

Polymarket: Talarico 74%, Paxton 26%. Market volume = $13,567,779.

Kalshi:Talarico 73%, Paxton 27%. Market volume = $89,636,005.

Texas Senate election margin of victory

Here is a look at the top four margins traders are trading on.

Polymarket: Market volume = $377,905.

• Talarico (0-3%) — 29%
• Talarico (3-6%) — 27%
• Talarico (6-9%) — 19%
• Paxton (0-3%) — 16%

Kalshi: Market volume = $4,792,844.75.

• Talarico ( 0.5-1%) — 70%
• Talarico (1.5%) — 66%
• Talarico (2%) — 59%
• Talarico (2.5%) — 57%

Texas congressional races to watch tonight

Mateo Rosiles

Three congressional races in Texas are giving the Republican Party a headache, as political analysis shows they are shifting toward Democrats.

These three races are among 15 U.S. House races nationwide whose ratings have shifted, suggesting Republicans are on track to lose the House majority in the midterm elections, according to The Cook Political Report.

They are:

• Texas' 35th District — Democrat Johnny Garcia vs. Republican Carlos De La Cruz
• Texas' 9th District — Republican Alex Mealer vs. Democrat Leticia Gutierrez.

The last race is between Democrat Bobby Pulido, the Tejano singer-songwriter, and incumbent Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in Texas’ 15th Congressional District.

Texas early voting: How 2026 compares with 2022 and 2024

Brandi D. Addison

More than 7.7 million Texans voted early ahead of the 2026 midterms, according to figures through Oct. 30.

That's about 1.3 million fewer early votes than ahead of the 2024 presidential election, but about 2.2 million more than ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial election.

• 2024: 9.1 million early votes
• 2022: 5.5 million early votes
• 2026: 7.7 million early votes

Election Day voting totals will provide a fuller picture of participation in this year's midterms.

Recent Talarico-Paxton Texas Senate polls

Mateo Rosiles

Since Ken Paxton won the Republican primary runoff in May, polls have shown him and James Talarico statistically tied within the margin of error.

The gap between the two didn't start to grow until early fall, when Talarico led outside the margin of error.

A final poll from the New York Times/Siena College, released Nov. 1, shows Talarico leading Paxton, 50% to 43% — a 7-point lead outside the poll's margin.

Texas early voting surpasses 7.7 million ahead of Election Day

Brandi D. Addison

More than 7.7 million Texans had cast ballots before Election Day, according to statewide turnout figures from the secretary of state office.

About 7.5 million voted early in person, while roughly 281,000 cast mail ballots.

That's fewer than the 9.1 million early votes recorded ahead of the 2024 presidential election, but more than the 5.5 million cast ahead of the 2022 midterms.

Polls are open for the rest of Texas

Mateo Rosiles

While polls have been open for an hour across most of Texas, voting is just getting underway in El Paso and Hudspeth counties.

The two counties are in the Mountain Time Zone, while most of Texas is in the Central Time Zone. Polls close at 7 p.m. local time statewide.

Harris County tops Texas in early ballots cast

Brandi D. Addison

Harris County reported the most early ballots in Texas through Oct. 30, with about 1.07 million.

Dallas County ranked second with 624,000, followed by Tarrant County with 587,000, Bexar County with 526,000 and Travis County with 444,000.

Together, the five counties accounted for about 3.3 million early ballots.

Polls open in Texas

Mateo Rosiles

It is Election Day in Texas, and the nation's eyes are on the state as it waits to see whether Democratic hopeful James Talarico can flip one of the state's U.S. Senate seats blue against Republican candidate Ken Paxton.

Texans are also watching to see whether any statewide offices will flip blue this cycle—most notably the governor’s seat, as Gov. Greg Abbott is running for his fourth term.

He faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa in the contest — who, if she wins, would be the first Latina governor in the state's history and the first Democrat to hold the governor's seat in over 30 years.