James Talarico has won the Texas Senate race, making him the first Democrat to hold state office since 1994.
Tuesday’s victory signals a seismic shift in Texas, which has been a standard-bearer for the Republican Party’s staunchly conservative policies.
The victory came after a primary intervention by President Donald Trump, who endorsed scandal-plagued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Republican Senate candidate John Cornyn.
But Paxton was unable to generate enthusiasm even within his own party, despite record spending of more than $500 million.
The lion’s share went to billionaire donor Elon Musk, who spent at least $212 million supporting Paxton.
Musk’s SpaceX company is based in Texas. He also spends a lot of money across the country, and Democrats are expected to investigate his role as DOGE chairman if they take control of Congress.
“It’s historic,” said Taylor Bell, a 27-year-old law student who attended the Houston election watch party.
“Hopefully the money will come back to the people of Texas, but nothing will ever be the same. Well, my whole life at this point.”
“Tonight, Texas has regained hope as a nation,” U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee, a Democrat who represents Houston, told the crowd.
“Tonight, I strongly believe that if we come together to fight hatred and bigotry, we can accomplish anything in this country,” he said.
Yvonne Nunga, 29, who works in the IT industry, said: “The young generation and all those who want a better future came together to make their voices heard.
“This party, this fight, right now, it’s not about left or right. It’s about up and down. I’m very happy that we have candidates who are making this an important part of their message,” she added.
“The current government’s politics are not working for the people. They are not by the people and for the people, but for the billionaires bought by billionaires.”
Trump doesn’t need a “puppet governor”
Tuesday also saw an unexpected victory for Democratic gubernatorial challenger Gina Hinojosa, who was considered a difficult challenge late in the campaign.
Hinojosa became the first Latino governor in Texas history, even though Latinos make up 40 percent of the state’s population.
Alejandra Peimbert, regional communications director for the Hinojosa campaign, said the victory should be seen as a rebuke to the hardline immigration policies enacted during the decade under outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott.
Mr. Abbott worked closely with the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign and has led policies that put local law enforcement officials in charge of immigration enforcement.
“I think the Latino community and our votes have always been undervalued by politicians,” Peimbert told Al Jazeera.
“The economy is so bad and the horrible things that ICE has done to our community, tearing families apart…I think my community has finally had enough,” she added, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“President Trump will no longer use governors as puppets.”
The state has long been a standard-bearer for the Republican Party in the United States. But Mr. Abbott’s tenure has been marked by more hardline conservative tendencies, taking a tough approach not only to immigration but also to social welfare programs, abortion rights, education and religious freedom.
Mr. Abbott’s supporters have touted rapid economic growth in recent years, fueled by tax cuts and deregulation.
Critics say they believe the measures of economic success will most positively impact businesses and the wealthy, while providing little benefit to middle-class and lower-class Texans.
Poverty rates in Texas are higher than the national average, and there are few social safety nets in place.
“This is one of the greatest things the state of Texas has ever seen,” Dylan Sutter, 21, said of Talarico and Hinojosa. “These are two strong candidates who have taken the time, dedication, and focus on every community in Texas and deserve this position.”
“Everything is blue. By the time the voting was over, it was like the ballot itself was painted blue.”
