Democrats won several statewide offices in Tuesday's election, including governor, U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller. Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, and James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race. Democrats also won statewide elections for the first time in more than three decades. Democrats made major gains in South Texas, where Republicans had flipped longtime Democratic strongholds two years earlier.
Celeste Arriola, an 18-year-old Latina voter in Austin, said the election showed the influence of younger voters. She said Hinojosa's win was meaningful because it brings representation to the state's highest office.
Jose Borjon, who grew up in Brownsville, Hinojosa's hometown, said he has known her family for years. He said his mother had been involved in Texas politics for decades, and he said her work came to mind when the results were announced.