Democrat James Talarico won the U.S. Senate race in Texas on Tuesday night, beating Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Texas has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.
Supporters watched results at Talarico's party at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin. Stephanie Ferguson, who volunteered for more than 400 hours on the campaign, said, "There was definitely a spirit of love your neighbor." Zach Kittrie, a Republican who said he had never voted for a Democrat before, said he cast his ballot for Talarico. He said Talarico's concern about medical costs, and his own Type 1 diabetes, stood out to him.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa also won her race, defeating Gov. Greg Abbott. She is the first Latina elected governor of Texas. Sylvia Lagos, 69, said she had worked toward a Democratic win in Texas since she was 16. "It still doesn't seem real," she said.