Democrats deliver a stunning rout in Texas to retake power for the first time in decades

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats finally got their wish in Texas.

Shut out of power for decades, Democrats on Tuesday romped up and down the ballot in Republicans' most populous stronghold, flipping a U.S. Senate seat and retaking the governor's mansion in a history-making election that ushered in an overnight resurgence for a party that has spent much of the last 30 years fighting for scraps.

The stunning victories showed how voters, frustrated over high prices and concerned about government corruption, soundly rejected President Donald Trump's party and handed Democrats a decisive foothold in a fast-changing state of nearly 32 million residents that is one of the world's 10 largest economies. The dominant showing included winning back counties along the border with Mexico — where Republicans had been making inroads with Hispanic voters — and flipping congressional seats even though Republicans gerrymandered the map to give them an upper hand.

“This win is for every Texan who has ever wondered if anyone is ever listening,” Democrat James Talarico said after handily winning his Senate race over Republican Ken Paxton, the state's scandal-plagued attorney general.

“I heard you. We heard you. And tonight, the world hears you," Talarico said.

Texas Democrats hadn’t won a statewide campaign since 1994 and now have breakout stars in Talarico and Gina Hinojosa, who ousted Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in a victory that will make her Texas' first Latina governor. They also won the powerful offices of lieutenant governor and attorney general, widening the validation for Democrats’ long deferred dream that demographic changes in the state would be followed by a shift in political power.

On a national level, the loss will set off alarms for Republicans, who depend on winning Texas in presidential election years to maintain a path to the White House. In Florida, outgoing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis took stock of the damage.

“Texas has been the most significant Republican state this century. A Democrat sweep of statewide races — and possible capture of the Legislature — takes away one of the anchors of the modern GOP,” DeSantis posted on social media. “A huge loss.”

How Hinojosa governs is likely to open a dramatic political and cultural shift in the Texas Capitol, which over the last decade has passed one of the nation’s strictest abortion laws, increasingly aggressive immigration crackdowns and relaxed gun laws even as Texas was the site of some of the nation's worst mass shootings over the past decade.

Democrats didn't win in Texas with promises to turn back the clock on issues like abortion, guns, transgender rights and diverting public tax money to private education. Instead, they ran on more populist ideas of affordability and railing against artificial intelligence data centers and corruption.

Hinojosa, a state legislator who represents a liberal Austin district and grew up in the Rio Grande Valley along the border with Mexico, distanced herself from the proud progressive brand she carried in the statehouse. She instead batted away culture war issues for populist stances on an economy battered by Trump's tariffs and an unpopular war with Iran.

“The voter have delivered a mandate for change, and it is change they will get,” Hinojosa said. “We will lead with politics of courage, not convenience. Progress will not be halted by partisanship and Texas will bow to no one.”

Democrats got a huge swing in votes in border counties that had shifted strongly, and surprisingly, to Trump two years ago. Gains that Republicans had made with conservative Hispanic voters largely disappeared Tuesday.

The AP Voter Poll, an expansive survey of more than 5,000 Texas Senate voters, found that Talarico built a diverse coalition — winning most young voters and Hispanic voters in the state. This year, about three-quarters of voters under 30 voted for Talarico, as did roughly 6 in 10 Hispanic voters.

Just two years ago, Trump had won Texas by double digits.

“Going into 2028, the Republican Party of Texas has serious work to do to begin the process of taking our state back from Democrat control," said Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who also lost Tuesday.

Outside of Austin, Karen Sites, a 63-year-old registered dietitian and her daughter Sofia, 21, both voted for Democrats in the suburb of Dripping Springs. Both had gone to the polls saying they were holding their breath after previous proclamations by Democrats that they would retake Texas never came to fruition.

Sofia has a transgender sibling and said Talarico’s support of transgender and LGBTQ+ rights was something that drew both of them to his campaign. She said she was also frustrated with Republicans’ policies on data centers and protecting biodiversity.

“I’m hopeful,” she said.

Democratic Senate candidate Texas state Rep. James Talarico greets supporters as he departs after speaking at an election night event in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Attendees become emotional at an election night event for Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Democratic Senate candidate Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks at an election night event in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, left, speaks to supporters at an election night event in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Attendees cheer at an election night event for Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Alexander Zverev's tenure as the No. 1 in men's tennis started with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 defeat to Lorenzo Musetti in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday.

Zverev moved to the top ranking on Monday, capping off a fine season which saw him win the first two Grand Slam titles of his career at the French Open and the U.S. Open.

Despite playing on a fast indoor court which suited his serve and aggressive ground strokes, the imposing German looked out of sorts against Musetti. The mercurial Italian clinched victory with an ace in a one-sided contest where he had more winners (29-25) and less unforced errors (12-21) than Zverev.

Later Wednesday, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic faced qualifier Rinky Hijikata and seven-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz played American Alex Michelsen. Fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev took on Ignacio Buse.

Djokovic needs to reach the semifinals to stand a chance of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals later this month. Only two spots remain for the Nov. 15-22 event in Turin, with only an ATP250 event remaining in Stockholm after Paris.

In other second-round play, three-time U.S. Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe — seeded No. 7 — wasted four match points in a 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (9) loss to Frenchman Quentin Halys.

Tiafoe's defeat qualified Arthur Fils for the ATP Finals. He is the first Frenchman to reach the event since Gael Monfils in 2016.

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Lorenzo Musetti of Italy returns the ball to Alexander Zverev of Germany during the second round match of the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, Paris, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)

Alexander Zverev, of Germany, returns the ball against Lorenzo Musetti, of Italy, during their second-round match at the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Nanterre, near Paris, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)