Last week at Axelrad Beer Garden, I photographed a cheering crowd as Texas Democrats stunned the nation by winning statewide races. More than just joy flashed across their faces. The mix of emotions was potent.

Democrats swept statewide elections in Texas, winning the state's first Democratic United States Senate seat since 1988 and its first Democratic governorship in more than three decades. James Talarico won 28 counties that backed Donald Trump in 2024. Among them were Bastrop and Williamson counties in the Austin area. In Bastrop County, Talarico received 54 percent of the vote, compared with Kamala Harris's 40 percent in 2024. In Williamson County, he received 59 percent, up from Harris's 48 percent. Both counties stood out for their wealth among those that flipped. Williamson ranked fourth and Bastrop sixth in median household income. They were among just nine flipped counties with median household incomes above $80,000. Their demographics also stood out. Williamson had the highest percentage of white residents among the counties that flipped, while Bastrop ranked sixth. But many flipped counties had large Hispanic populations: 19 had Hispanic populations above 41 percent, the statewide share of Hispanic residents in Texas.

Texas Democratic Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa plans to freeze electricity rates on Day One, but experts warn the move could trigger energy shortages.

After losing his seat as lieutenant governor in the midterm elections this November, Dan Patrick is already plotting his next move.  After losing his reelection bid to Democrat Vikki Goodwin by roughly six percentage points,

“We have people in this district who have been ignored and unable to be advocated for," Congresswoman-elect Katy Padilla Stout said of her Texas district.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) dropped a subtle parting shot at his erstwhile primary opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), in a gift he gave to his successor, Sen.-elect James Talarico (R-TX). The post Cornyn Takes a Parting Swipe at Paxton with Gift to Talarico first appeared on Mediaite.

With the highest percentage of any demographic, Black women flipped Texas, the state formerly known as red. Democrats claimed three statewide positions — the US Senate ( James Talarico ), the governor ( Gina Hinojosa,

The Office of Congressional Conduct also found that the Terrel Republican had discrepancies between his campaign account expenses and official election filings.

During the midterm elections on Nov. 4, Collin County voters voted against the proposition to increase taxes for the arena funding.