Trump's gamble on Ken Paxton backfires as Democrat pulls off historic Texas Senate upset
Texas state Rep. James Talarico defeated incumbent Ken Paxton in a historic upset, winning the state's first Democratic Senate seat in nearly four decades.
The Fox News Decision Desk called the race for Talarico shortly after 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday night.
It was a stunning result for Republicans, who had poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Paxton's campaign.
Trump made near-weekly visits to Texas and his political action committee, MAGA Inc., heavily funded Paxton's effort.
Trump's high-stakes gamble
Trump opted to back Paxton over longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn earlier this year, a decision that created a rift within the GOP.
Cornyn, who lost his primary to Paxton, said he would not campaign for his successor, calling Paxton a 'flawed, self-centered and shameless candidate'.
Trump painted Talarico as a radical Democrat, even dubbing him 'Talafreako' ahead of the midterms.
The campaign was marked by personal attacks, with Talarico highlighting Paxton's impeachment for alleged corruption, which he was later acquitted of.
Talarico's moderate appeal
Talarico positioned himself as a moderate, distancing himself from the national Democratic Party and its leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
He campaigned on representing Texans and not Democratic interests, a strategy that resonated in a state known for its conservative politics.
"This Senate seat has been held by some of the finest Texans," Talarico said. "Ken Paxton should be nowhere near Lyndon Johnson's Senate seat. Ken Paxton should be nowhere near Sam Houston's Senate seat."
The victory is a significant blow to the Republican Party, which was already facing headwinds in the midterm elections due to economic stress and war.
Democrats were also projected to win control of the House majority on the same night.
Historic shift in Texas politics
The race was part of a brutal night for Republicans, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also projected to lose to Democrat Gina Hinojosa.
The loss of the Senate seat marks the first time a Democrat has held the office in nearly four decades.
The result signals a potential shift in the political landscape of Texas, a traditionally red state.
The next step for Democrats is to secure a majority in the Senate and govern with a new coalition.
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