Democrat James Talarico led Republican Ken Paxton in early returns on Tuesday night in Texas' U.S. Senate race, according to the reports. Election Day ballots were still being tallied. Talarico's early lead came from strong showings in the North Texas suburbs and large margins in urban areas that had reported results.
More than 7.7 million Texans voted early, in person or by mail, during the state's 12-day early voting period. That was 40.5% of registered voters, the story said, the highest midterm early-turnout rate on record in modern Texas. Republicans expect to do better among Election Day voters.
The story said the race was the most expensive U.S. Senate contest in American history. Talarico is an Austin state legislator, and Paxton is a three-term state attorney general. Democrats need to flip four seats and hold their existing ones to win control of the Senate. Democrats have not won a statewide race in Texas since 1994.