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.