Texas Democrats secured unexpected control of the state House and multiple statewide offices as voters shifted the balance of power during the midterm elections.
A national surge in votes for Democrats translated into down-ballot wins across Texas, according to election results. State Rep. James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton in the United States Senate race. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott in his run for a fourth term. Hinojosa centered her campaign on affordability, public education, and data centers.
"We will have a bipartisan transition, and we will have a bipartisan administration and government in Texas," Hinojosa said, according to TCTA, after naming former state Rep. Ernest Bailes to her transition team. Bailes lost a 2023 primary after voting against school vouchers.
Hinojosa plans to replace Commissioner of Education Mike Morath on her first day in office. Her veto power and appointment authority will influence the Boards of Regents for public university systems, the State Board of Education chair, and the State Board for Educator Certification.
In the lieutenant governor race, State Rep. Vikki Goodwin defeated Dan Patrick. Patrick called for Republican senators to strip the lieutenant governor office of power before Goodwin takes office. It remains unclear whether Senate Republicans will follow those wishes.
The Texas House will shift from an 86-62 Republican majority to an estimated 82-67 Democratic majority. State Rep. Senfronia Thompson stated she has secured the votes to become the next Speaker of the House. Thompson would regain the authority to assign committee chairs, reversing a Republican rule that required chairs to belong to the majority party.
The Texas Senate maintained a 19-12 Republican split. Senate leaders are weighing a power-sharing agreement with Goodwin and Democratic senators, which could limit the legislative agenda sent to the governor in 2027.
Meanwhile, State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt won election as State Comptroller, and State Sen. Nathan Johnson won the race for Attorney General. Eckhardt’s new role gives her oversight of the state school voucher program administration. The State Board of Education is poised for an 8-7 Democratic majority if unofficial returns hold in District 8, where Dana Van de Walker leads Audrey Young by fewer than 600 votes.
Early bill filing is underway for the 90th Legislative Session, which begins January 12, 2027. Lawmakers have filed proposals to increase the basic student allotment, fund schools based on enrollment instead of attendance, repeal the school voucher program, and remove classroom requirements for displaying the Ten Commandments.