Republican Tom Sell is the projected winner of Texas' 19th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. With 99% of votes counted, Sell received 69.5% of the vote. Democrat Kyle Rable received 30.5%.
Republicans are projected to hold 81 fewer House seats than Democrats, which would put them in the minority. In an interview Wednesday morning, Sell said Democrats will set the agenda in Congress and that Republicans may be playing more defense than offense.
Sell said he hopes to pursue practical measures, including strengthening the energy industry. He said he wants to keep oil and gas flowing and rebuild U.S. refinery capacity to lower energy prices. Sell also said he intends to represent everyone in the district, regardless of political affiliation. He is scheduled to take office Jan. 3, 2027, at the start of the 120th Congress.