State lawmaker beats Jasmine Crockett in fiercely contested election marked by record turnout and confusion at polls

James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for a US Senate seat in Texas on Tuesday, capping a remarkable rise from state lawmaker and seminary student to the party’s standard-bearer in one of the key races of the 2026 midterm cycle.

With his blend of faith-based populism, bipartisan appeal and generational energy, Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a firebrand beloved by the party’s base but who struggled to dispel concerns that she could defeat a Republican in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide in more than 30 years.

A jubilant Talarico told supporters in Austin before the race was called: “We are not just trying to win an election. We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.”

  • ThisUsernameKillsFascists@piefed.socialEnglish
    13·
    22 hours ago

    I thought that part of the reason she was running for senate was that her district had been gerrymandered out of existence - if so, she will only be in the house until January.

    • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
      1·
      11 hours ago

      Def not, her district is barely changing and is heavily Democratic. You can compare the old and new boundaries on the map here

      • egerlach@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        10 hours ago

        From that exact page:

        “Redistricted to the 33rd district but choosing to retire to run for U.S. Senate.”