James Talarico becomes the first Democrat in 38 years to win a Texas Senate seat despite Elon Musk's millions
James Talarico's post on X celebrating victory, as his 12-point win over Ken Paxton ended a 38-year Republican stranglehold on the Texas Senate seat despite Elon Musk's $47 million personal backing of Paxton.Ken Paxton addresses supporters after his defeat, thanking his family and Texans — a loss that also stung Donald Trump, who had personally endorsed Paxton over the more electable John Cornyn.
Democrats swept Texas on Tuesday in a blue wave that upended American politics, with James Talarico beating Ken Paxton by 12 points and Gina Hinojosa ousting governor Greg Abbott — giving Democrats control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in years.
Musk poured an estimated $47m into Paxton's campaign and $446m backing Republicans nationally, and still lost Texas for the first time since 1988.
'There is something deeply wrong with a political system that allows one trillionaire to buy his own personal US Senator,' Talarico told supporters after his win.
Democrat Katy Padilla Stout also flipped Texas' 23rd Congressional District, a seat Trump won by 14 points, after Republicans nominated YouTube personality Brandon Herrera.
