Democrat James Talarico won the U.S. Senate race in Texas on Tuesday night, defeating Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Supporters gathered at a watch party at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin. The source reports that Texas has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.
Some Republican voters backed Talarico. Zach Kittrie said he had never voted for a Democrat before. He said Talarico's views on medical costs spoke to him, because Talarico has Type 1 diabetes. Kittrie said Talarico first learned of the condition at age 28 and had to pay $600 for insulin.
At the same event, supporters watched results for Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who beat Gov. Greg Abbott. Hinojosa will be the first Latina elected governor in Texas. Volunteer Stephanie Ferguson, who said she worked more than 400 hours on Talarico's campaign, said she was overcome with emotion. Sylvia Lagos, 69, said she still finds the result hard to believe but is happy about it.