Texas 2026 Midterm Election Results

Nov 11, 2026

6 mins

Texas has not seen a night like this in a generation. Democrats won every statewide office on the ballot, from the U.S. Senate and the governor’s office down to all 10 statewide judicial seats. They also took control of the Texas House for the first time since 2001. Republicans kept their majority in the Texas Senate, but a Democrat will now preside over it, and the GOP’s South Texas gains of the last three cycles largely reversed.

U.S. Senate

State Rep. James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton by roughly 12 points, becoming the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate race in Texas since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Paxton had ousted Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary, and the general election became the most expensive non-presidential race on record, with about $590 million in advertising. Talarico will serve in a Democratic Senate majority in January.

Governor

State Rep. Gina Hinojosa unseated three-term Gov. Greg Abbott, who conceded on election night. Hinojosa will be the first Democratic governor since 1995 and the first Latina governor in Texas history. She ran on affordability, public schools over vouchers, a data center permit moratorium and a $1,500 household refund from the rainy day fund. Most of that agenda will need legislative approval, and some of it will need a supermajority. At her first news conference on Thursday, Nov. 5, Hinojosa named a bipartisan transition team and pledged a bipartisan administration. Former Republican state Rep. Ernest Bailes, who opposed Gov. Abbott’s school voucher plan, will co-chair the transition with Ryan Pollock of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council. Joe Madden, former chief of staff to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, will serve as executive director. “I am not going to be the governor for just Democrats,” Hinojosa said. “I am going to be the governor for all the people of Texas.”

Lieutenant Governor

State Rep. Vikki Goodwin defeated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, ending his three terms in office and becoming the first Democratic lieutenant governor in 27 years. In Texas the lieutenant governor’s power is substantial but depends on the Senate itself, which writes its own rules and remains in Republican hands. How Goodwin handles committee assignments, the Senate rules and her relationship with the Republican caucus will be the first test of the session.

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Goodwin announced a bipartisan transition leadership team with deep Capitol experience. Angela Hale will serve as executive director, and Rep. Chris Turner will chair the team. The co-chairs are retired Democratic Sens. Leticia Van de Putte and Kirk Watson, now mayor of Austin. Co-chairs also include retired Republican Sens. Kel Seliger and Tommy Williams; and retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips.

“We’re focused on ensuring the Senate will operate effectively, and my office stands ready to work with all senators to accomplish the business of the state.” Goodwin said.

Attorney General and Comptroller

Sen. Nathan Johnson, a Dallas commercial litigator, defeated Sen. Mayes Middleton for attorney general. Former Sen. Sarah Eckhardt defeated Don Huffines for comptroller. She will be the agency’s fourth leader in less than three years, and her January 2027 Biennial Revenue Estimate will set the baseline for the 2028-29 budget. Both winners leave Senate seats that will require special elections.

Other Statewide Elections

Incumbency offered little protection down the ballot. Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham lost to Benjamin Flores, and Democrats won the open agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner seats. Democrats also swept all 10 statewide judicial races: four Supreme Court seats, three Court of Criminal Appeals seats and all three seats on the new 15th Court of Appeals. The 15th Court hears appeals from the Texas Business Court, so that entire appellate bench will turn over in January. Republicans keep 5 to 4 and 6 to 3 majorities on the two high courts.

Texas House

Democrats needed to flip 14 seats to win the majority and, on unofficial returns, flipped 21, moving the chamber from 88 to 62 Republican to 83 to 67 Democratic. Several races are within a few hundred votes, including House Districts 14, 55 and 126., House District 26 swung back to Republican Rep. Matt Morgan by 134 votes after all ballots were reported. House District 93 may require a special election because of eligibility questions about the winning candidate. The race for Speaker is already underway. On Friday, Rep. Eddie Morales Jr. withdrew and endorsed the only other candidate, Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving member of the House. Hours later, Thompson announced that a majority of the House had pledged to support her. Leaders of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus have also backed her, and Republican Reps. Charlie Geren, Todd Hunter and Drew Darby joined her at the announcement. If elected, Thompson would be the first woman and the first Black legislator to serve as Speaker, and she has said she will appoint members of both parties as committee chairs. Members will formally elect the Speaker on Jan. 12, 2027.

On Nov. 10, Thompson named six former House Speakers to her transition team: Democrats Ben Barnes, Gib Lewis and Pete Laney, and Republicans Joe Straus, Dennis Bonnen and Dade Phelan. They will advise her ahead of the session.

“These former speakers know the House does its best work when members treat each other with respect, put their districts first and tak

Texas Senate

The Senate stays at 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Democratic Sen. Taylor Rehmet won a full term in SD 9, and Republican Rep. Dennis Paul held the open SD 11 seat over Shannon Dicely. Reps. David Cook, SD 22, and Trent Ashby, SD 3e care of the people’s business,” Thompson said. , also move over from the House. With a Republican majority, a Democratic presiding officer and a 2/3 confirmation threshold for gubernatorial appointees, the Senate will be the main check on the new administration.

Congressional Delegation

The 2025 mid-decade redistricting aimed to add five Republican seats. Instead, Democrats netted one. Democrats Bobby Pulido won Katy Padilla Stout won TX-15 and TX-23, respectively. Democrats held every South Texas seat drawn to flip. Republicans picked up TX-32. The delegation moves from 25 to 13 Republican to 24 to 14.

What It Means

Most people working on Texas policy have never seen Democrats control the executive branch or a legislative chamber. Expect early fights over property tax relief and whether it shifts the burden to commercial property, as well as data center incentives and grid costs, insurance and affordability, the future of education savings accounts, and the Health and Human Services Commission Sunset bill. A Republican Senate, supermajority requirements for constitutional amendments and rainy day fund spending, and a brand -new slate of statewide officials all point to a session of negotiation rather than sweeping change. For the business community, the opening months are an opportunity to build relationships with new leadership and offer constructive input early. Bill prefiling begins today, and the 90th Legislature convenes Jan. 12, 2027.