# Talarico beats Paxton by 12 points in historic Texas Senate upset

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/republicans-left-reeling-after-stunning-statewide-defeat-in-texas-as-vicious-blame-game-erupts-worst-campaign-ever-seen/
- Published: 2026-11-05T19:28:30+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T19:49:04+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16268817/Republican-defeat-Texas-election-Ken-Paxton.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Talarico beat Paxton by 12 points in Texas.
- He is the first Texas Democrat elected to the Senate since 1988.
- Republicans are arguing over the campaign and Trump’s role.

## Summary

James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton by 12 points in a historic Texas Senate upset, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state since 1988. The result has prompted Republican criticism of Paxton’s campaign and raised questions about the effects of President Donald Trump’s endorsement and influence on the race.

Republican insiders quoted in the article called Paxton’s campaign exceptionally poor, while some also blamed Trump for the wider election losses. Paxton’s allies had promoted unsubstantiated claims that Talarico was at a mental health facility; Talarico’s campaign said he was recovering from flu. GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren rejected the criticism as anonymous blame and urged the party to focus on voters’ domestic policy concerns.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.