Democrat James Talarico won the Texas U.S. Senate race Tuesday, Nov. 3, defeating Republican Ken Paxton and receiving more than 68% of the vote in Cameron County.

The Associated Press called the race Tuesday night. Talarico is the first Democrat elected to a Texas U.S. Senate seat since 1988.

According to unofficial Cameron County Elections Department results, Talarico received 69,724 votes, or 68.35%, compared with Paxton's 30,505 votes, or 29.90%.

Libertarian Ted Brown received 1,666 votes, or 1.63%. Write-in candidates received another 113 votes.

The statewide result ends a decadeslong stretch in which Republicans held both of Texas' U.S. Senate seats.

Talarico wins statewide

According to the Texas Secretary of State's unofficial returns, Talarico received 5,444,982 votes, compared with Paxton's 4,249,373, with all polling locations reporting as of the afternoon of Nov. 4.

Libertarian Ted Brown received 190,237 votes.

The results remain unofficial until the canvassing and certification process is complete.

Paxton conceded the election Tuesday night, acknowledging his defeat in remarks to supporters, according to KPRC.

Talarico will succeed Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who lost the Republican nomination to Paxton in a May primary runoff.

The Valley was a battleground

Both candidates made the Rio Grande Valley a priority during the campaign's final stretch.

Talarico joined Democrats for a get-out-the-vote rally in Weslaco where norteño band Los Tigres del Norte headlined, according to Spectrum News. Event organizers estimated 5,000 people attended.

Paxton made a campaign stop in Brownsville as Republicans sought to maintain support in South Texas after gains in recent elections.

Early voting also drew significant participation across the region.

In Hidalgo County, 101,225 voters cast ballots during the first week of early voting, according to Spectrum News.

The Texas Tribune identified heavily Hispanic South Texas as a key region to watch during the election.

The final unofficial Cameron County tally showed Talarico winning by 39,219 votes.

Campaign priorities

Talarico, a state representative from the Austin area, is a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian.

He campaigned on lowering household costs and addressing political corruption.

Paxton, who has served as Texas attorney general since 2015, campaigned with President Donald Trump's endorsement. He emphasized conservative positions on immigration, federal spending and social issues.

The two candidates also differed on health care, education and the federal government's role in addressing household expenses.

According to Houston Public Media, Talarico maintained a fundraising advantage for much of the campaign, while conservative political organizations spent heavily supporting Paxton.

The contest attracted national attention because of its potential implications for control of the U.S. Senate.

What comes next

Talarico will serve a six-year term in the U.S. Senate beginning in January 2027.

His responsibilities will include voting on federal legislation, federal spending, presidential appointments and other matters affecting Texas.

For Cameron County residents, those decisions include federal policies involving border security, health care, transportation and economic development.

The election results remain subject to official certification by Texas election authorities.