Democrat James Talarico beat Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in one of the country's most closely watched U.S. Senate races, held on Tuesday. Texas has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.
Supporters gathered at a watch party at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin. Volunteer Stephanie Ferguson, who said she worked more than 400 hours on the campaign, described the mood as loving and said she wanted more of it. Zach Kittrie, who said he had never voted for a Democrat before, said he voted for Talarico. Kittrie said Talarico's concern about medical costs stood out to him, noting that Talarico has Type 1 diabetes.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa also won, beating Gov. Greg Abbott to become the first Latina elected governor in Texas. Sylvia Lagos, 69, said at the party that it still did not feel real to her, but that she was happy about the result.