Texas House flips to Democrats after Talarico declares Senate win, ending 24-year GOP control

By the end of the night Nov. 3, Democrats had won every statewide race on the Texas ballot, including seats on the state’s highest courts, in what politicians and experts called a massive blue wave, Community Impact reported.

Democrats also took control of the Texas House for the first time in 24 years. By the evening of Nov. 6, they were projected to win 79 of the chamber’s 150 seats, flipping 16 seats previously held by Republicans after entering election night with 62 seats, according to results from the Associated Press. Republicans were projected to hold 63 seats, with eight races too close to call as ballots were still being counted.

The Texas House flips after 24 years of Republican control

Texas has had a Republican governor, state Senate and state House since 2003, according to Ballotpedia. The House flip ends that streak in the lower chamber, though the state Senate remains majority-Republican.

The Democrats elected to statewide office include:

• U.S. senator: James Talarico, an Austin state representative
• Governor: Gina Hinojosa, an Austin state representative
• Lieutenant governor: Vikki Goodwin, an Austin state representative
• Attorney general: Nathan Johnson, a Dallas state senator
• Comptroller: Sarah Eckhardt, an Austin state senator
• General land commissioner: Benjamin Flores, a Bay City councilmember and rancher
• Agriculture commissioner: Clayton Tucker, a Lampasas rancher
• Railroad commissioner: Jon Rosenthal, a state representative

Democrats also won four seats on the nine-member Texas Supreme Court, three seats on the nine-member Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and all three seats on the 15th Court of Appeals.

Democratic and Republican leaders react to the results

“Democrats didn’t lose Texas overnight, and we’re not going to win it overnight, either,” Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said during a Nov. 4 call with reporters. He said the party had cleared its debt for the first time in decades and raised and invested a combined $40 million in the largest coordinated campaign in Texas Democratic history over the last year and a half.

He said some trading could happen, with Republicans preserving influence as they adjust to minority status in the House without completely defanging the lieutenant governor.

A divided state Capitol awaits in 2027

How much power Goodwin will have over the Senate is largely up to the senators, who will approve the chamber’s new rules when the legislature convenes in January. Under current rules, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, whom Goodwin unseated, has the power to form and appoint committees, dictate the route of legislation and recognize senators to speak on the floor, according to an analysis by Texas political consultant Garrett Fulce. Senators could choose to revoke those powers.

The Republican Senate and Democratic House will have to find a balance, since bills cannot become law until approved by both chambers and sent to the governor. The legislature is also constitutionally required to pass a balanced two-year budget every session.

New officials take office in January

Republican incumbents remain in office until January. The 90th Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 12, when newly elected lawmakers take office. The Texas Constitution states a new governor is installed on the first Tuesday after the organization of the Legislature, meaning Hinojosa will be sworn in on or after Jan. 19. At the federal level, the 120th Congress begins Jan. 3, when Talarico will be sworn in as a U.S. senator.

More on this story: Democrats seize control of US House and Senate in 2026 midterms · James Talarico and Ken Paxton Clash in Texas Senate Race

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