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.

“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.

Democrats swept into power last week as voters also embraced tougher criminal penalties and restrictions on bail. Why it matters: Six years after the George Floyd protests, Democrats won big without promising a return to sweeping 2020-era reforms. Some even adopted border-security rhetoric associated with Republicans. Democrats gained at least 12 state legislative chambers and won governorships in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas. By the...

Current and former House Democrats, flush with victory following their landslide midterm wins, are already looking at potential opportunities to run for Senate in 2028, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Democrats' 2026 romp — with wins in Texas, South Carolina, Kansas and possibly even Mississippi — has some party members reevaluating what were once considered impossible targets. A source close to Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) — who was...