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Talarico, Hinojosa and Pulido: The trio with which the Democrats are beginning to turn Texas purple
Democrats made major gains in Texas in Tuesday’s midterm elections, with James Talarico, Gina Hinojosa and Bobby Pulido winning key races. The results challenge the state’s long-standing Republican dominance and suggest Democrats have mobilised beyond their usual supporters.
Early voting reached 7.7 million, compared with about 5.5 million in 2022. Talarico won 55%, while Hinojosa defeated three-term governor Greg Abbott with 53%; Talarico also exceeded Kamala Harris’s 2024 vote totals in several counties. Voters cited concerns including healthcare costs and household finances, while Talarico campaigned on affordable insurance, tax reform, wages and immigration reform.
In short
- Democrats scored major wins in Texas.
- Early voting rose to 7.7 million.
- Talarico and Hinojosa won key races.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Democrats could argue that the results show their message on healthcare costs, household finances and wages reaching beyond their usual base, with high early voting suggesting broader engagement. Talarico’s gains in several counties and Hinojosa’s victory over an incumbent governor may indicate that Texas voters are open to a more competitive political balance.
The case against
Republicans could argue that a strong result in one midterm election does not establish a lasting shift in Texas, and that turnout or local factors may have favoured these candidates. They may also point out that the reported vote totals and campaign themes do not by themselves show that voters endorsed a broad change in the state’s political direction.