"We lost. The Republicans simply lost everything: the seat in the US Senate, the governorship, the majority in the Texas House of Representatives," says lawyer Thomas Royce from Texas, still completely stunned. His colleague Doug O'Brian adds ironically: "Trump wanted the elections to be a referendum on his work. And that's exactly what it was."
The war in Iran, the high gasoline costs, the tariffs that average Americans ultimately had to pay with higher prices, all made the US President unpopular. Also in Texas, a state that Trump won by almost 14 points two years ago.
Democrat didn't have to win rural Texas
The first evaluations break down the Democrats' success: The large cities provided important votes. There were also gains in the suburbs and significant shifts in the border regions with Mexico. According to preliminary data evaluated by the Texas Tribune, Democrats made gains everywhere.
In rural areas, the Republicans remained clearly ahead, but their lead shrank. Talarico didn't need to win rural Texas. It was enough to lose less there and gain more in the metropolitan areas around Austin, Houston and Dallas.
70 percent of Latinos voted Democrat
But it wasn't just the high cost of living that scared off voters in Texas. The brutal actions of his immigration agency ICE also outraged many Latino voters who had only just given him a chance.
As does the building contractor Benigno Melendez from South Texas. In 2024 he voted for Trump. But when Trump used ICE to deport not only criminal immigrants, but also many workers on Melendez's construction sites, he was horrified. “They simply arrested people at random, even with valid papers or Americans,” he says. In return, Melendez has now given Trump a lesson at the ballot box. And he's not the only one: About 70 percent of Latino voters voted for Democrat James Talarico.
The decision was probably all the easier for many because the Republicans nominated a man for the US Senate seat who even party members considered unelectable: Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Attorney General. US President Trump's ally is accused of corruption and abuse of office. Trump supported his candidacy despite all his reservations.
"The Republicans became complacent after decades in power in Texas and thought they could get away with anything," says auto repair shop owner Jeff Snyder. Sometimes an election shock like this can be very healing.
Talarico and Hinojosa - unusual election winners
Talarico, the future US senator for Texas, on the other hand, has an unusual profile: He is young, center-left and Christian. The 37-year-old former teacher, theologian and member of the Texas legislature repeatedly denounced the high cost of living and the power of individual billionaires like Elon Musk, who, as a major donor with more than $200 million in the election campaign, wanted to save Texas for the Republicans.
Talarico talks a lot about charity, the fight between David and Goliath and quotes Bible verses. This also creates trust among conservative voters who normally don't necessarily vote for a Democrat. Until now, the Republicans have felt like the political home of believing US citizens. Talarico breaks down this logic.
At the same time, Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott. She will be the first Latina to lead the state. Hinojosa attacked Abbott where political decisions are felt in everyday life: in the cost of living, public schools and the boom in AI data centers. Their accusation: The government cares more about powerful companies than about ordinary citizens.
Texas als Blaupause
The Democrats can learn from Texas that they can also win in Republican strongholds if they take voters' everyday concerns seriously and put forward the right candidates. James Talarico had already sought bipartisan solidarity with the Republicans in the Texas Parliament and introduced legislation together. He is considered a credible bridge builder and Christian. That was a winning formula in Texas.
But the Republicans' mistakes were just as crucial. Many voters have made it clear: 2026 was primarily a vote against the Republicans. The Democrats have only been given one chance, no election guarantee. Building contractor and swing voter Melendez also says: "The Democrats have to deliver now. My vote will not be given away in the next election."
