Early vote totals showed Democrats winning nearly every race in Tarrant County, from statewide offices down to countywide posts. Senate candidate James Talarico was just under 60 percent, about 22 points ahead of Ken Paxton, according to the early returns. Democrat Alisa Simmons led County Judge Tim O'Hare by about 16 points.
Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth and Arlington, has long been a Republican stronghold. Top candidates, including Talarico, Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott, campaigned in the county during the first days of early voting.
Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, said the results reflected criticism of Republican leadership in the county. He said some Republican voters felt conservatives were going too far, and that this could hurt Republicans.