Election Night Recap
Welcome to our election coverage! Tonight, we delve into the results of the races we've rated as competitive in our app, focusing on the U.S. Senate, Congress, Texas Senate, and Texas House. From significant Republican gains in South Texas to statewide Republican victories, Republicans have been on a statewide winning streak for 30 years. We'll break down the main themes and what these outcomes mean for the political landscape.
Ted Cruz Defeats Collin Allred
Cruz's victory secures another term in the U.S. Senate and reinforces the Republican hold on Texas's statewide offices. The race was seen as a test of Democratic momentum in Texas, but the results suggest that the state remains solidly in the Republican column. No Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate has won in Texas since 1988.
Former President Trump Wins Texas
Former President Donald Trump has secured a victory in Texas, further cementing the state's Republican-leaning presidential elections. Trump's policies and rhetoric continue to resonate with a significant portion of Texas voters, particularly on issues like immigration and the economy. No Democratic presidential candidate has won in Texas since 1976.
Republicans Gain Ground Compared to 2020
Republicans are performing stronger than they did in the 2020 elections. This trend is particularly evident in South Texas, where GOP candidates are making significant inroads in areas that have traditionally leaned Democratic. Factors such as shifting demographics, the GOP's focus on border security, economic development, and conservative social values played a role in the shift. We project the Republicans to pick up 2 state House seats and Republican challenger Hinojosa leads Sen. LaMantia which would be an additional seat to the Republicans.
All of the results below are unofficial and current as of publication time. For the most updated results, please visit the Texas Secretary of State's website.
US Senate Race
S1 - Rated as (Likely R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Ted Cruz (Incumbent) (54%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Collin Alred (44%)
- Libertarian (L): Ted Brown (2%)
Texas Senate Races
SD 27 - Rated as (Toss-Up)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Adam Hinojosa (49%) Projected winner
- Democrat (D): Morgan LaMantia (48%)
- Libertarian (L): Robin Vargas (2%)
Texas Congressional Races
CD 28 - Rated as (Toss-Up)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Jay Furman (48%)
- Democrat (D): Henry Cuellar (Incumbent) (52%) Winner
CD 34 - Rated as (Lean D)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Mayra Flores (49%)
- Democrat (D): Vicente Gonzalez (Incumbent) (51%) Winner
Texas House District Races
HD 34 - Rated as (Lean D)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Denise Villalobos (55%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Solomon Ortiz (44%)
HD 37 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Janie Lopez (Incumbent) (55%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Jonathan Gracia (45%)
HD 41 - Rated as (Lean D)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): John (Doc) Robert Guerra 46%
- Democrat (D): Bobby Guerra (Incumbent) 53% Winner
HD 52 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Caroline Harris Davila (Incumbent)(56%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Jennie Birkholz (44%)
HD 63 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Ben Bumgarner (Incumbent) (56%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Michelle Beckley (44%)
HD 70 - Rated as (Lean D)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Steven Kinard (48%)
- Democrat (D): Mihaela Plesa (Incumbent) 52% Winner
HD 74 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Robert Garza 52% Winner
- Democrat (D): Eddie Morales (Incumbent) 48%
HD 80 - Rated as (Likely R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Don McLaughlin (63%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Cecilia Castellano (37%)
HD 94 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Tony Tinderholt (Incumbent) (56%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Denise Wilkerson (44%)
HD 96 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): David Cook (Incumbent) (57%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Ebony Turner (42%)
HD 108 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Morgan Meyer (Incumbent) (58%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Elizabeth Ginsberg (41%)
HD 112 - Rated as (Toss Up)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Angie Chen Button (Incumbent) (55%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Averie Bishop (45%)
HD 118 - Rated as (Toss Up)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): John Lujan (Incumbent) (52%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Kristian Carranza (48%)
HD 121 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Marc LaHood (53%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Laurel Jordan Swift (47%)
HD 122 - Rated as (Lean R)
Candidates:
- Republican (R): Mark Dorazio (Incumbent) (58%) Winner
- Democrat (D): Kevin Geary (42%)
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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Texas Political Spotlight
In solidarity with the Texas Hill Country, please visit TXBiz News’ page to see ways to support our state through this hardship: Hill Country Flood Relief
Welcome back, friends
Governor Abbott has called a high-stakes special session packed with issues ranging from flood response to redistricting, abortion, and THC regulation, just weeks after deadly storms swept Central Texas. Meanwhile, Sen. Angela Paxton announced her divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton amidst a heated US Senate GOP primary. Lastly, in Boca Chica, SpaceX’s newest project is drawing attention from environmental advocates worried about its impact on coastal dunes.
Today’s Insights:
- Governor Abbott Officially Sets Special Session Agenda
- Sen. Angela Paxton Announces Divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton Amidst Heated US Senate GOP Primary
- Space X Set To Build Liquid Oxygen Plant in South Texas
Governor Abbott Officially Sets Special Session Agenda
Governor Greg Abbott has called Texas lawmakers back to Austin for a July 21 special session with an 18-item agenda including issues such as natural disaster preparedness, abortion restrictions, THC regulation, and congressional redistricting. The top four items address the catastrophic flooding across Central Texas that left over 100 people dead and more than 160 still missing. Abbott is urging swift action to improve early warning systems and emergency communications, and to provide financial support for flood-impacted areas. “We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future,” the governor said while visiting Kerr County, one of the hardest-hit regions.
While flood response dominates the immediate urgency, the governor's agenda also reopens contentious debates that stalled during the regular session earlier this year. These include efforts to eliminate the STAAR test, limit abortion access, particularly regarding medical abortion, and regulate hemp-derived THC products without imposing a full ban. Abbott’s recent veto of a GOP-led THC ban signaled a more measured approach focused on potency limits potential regulation. At the same time, he is calling for legislation to “further protect unborn children and their mothers,” in what could become another high-profile ideological fight at the Capitol.
Perhaps the most politically consequential item is mid-decade redistricting. Abbott cites constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice, but critics, including Texas Democrats and advocacy groups, argue the effort is designed to redraw key districts in favor of Republicans ahead of the 2026 elections. Civil rights groups have also raised concerns about the inclusion of legislation to “protect women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces,” interpreting it as a revival of what critics referred to as "bathroom bills". With lawmakers convening for up to 30 days, and the possibility of additional sessions, Texans can expect legislative action for a while.
Sen. Angela Paxton Announces Divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton Amidst Heated US Senate GOP Primary
Sen. Angela Paxton announced Thursday she is filing for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton. In her statement, the McKinney Republican said she had “earnestly pursued reconciliation,” but that recent discoveries made continuing the marriage untenable. The couple have long been prominent figures in Texas politics, with Angela Paxton holding the Senate seat her husband once occupied. Ken Paxton attributed the separation to the “pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny.”
The announcement comes as Ken Paxton mounts a high-profile primary challenge against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Space X Set To Build Liquid Oxygen Plant in South Texas
Cameron County commissioners have approved a construction permit allowing SpaceX to build an air separator facility near the sand dunes of Boca Chica Beach, a decision that has sparked environmental concerns among local residents. The facility—described as a compact industrial plant with 20 structures on 1.66 acres—will separate nitrogen and oxygen from the air to support rocket launches, reducing the need for over 200 truck deliveries per launch from Brownsville. Although SpaceX agreed to mitigation measures and shifting construction further inland to minimize dune disruption, critics remain skeptical, citing limited public input and concerns over the project's impact on vegetation and wildlife. The permit requires SpaceX to restore or replace any damaged dunes, with enforcement authority resting with the Texas General Land Office.
“I think that it’s clearly true today how the government of Cameron County is kind of falling over to please SpaceX”
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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TXElects Election Updates
We bring you latest candidate filings, campaign finance information and more for all candidates running for statewide, legislative and congressional offices.
Senate Race In Monday’s Austin press conference on the 2-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, Democrat Colin Allred included his wife Alexandra Eber as a featured speaker on abortion issues. Eber discussed challenges faced by pregnant women and said that “Politicians in Texas, like Ted Cruz, have done the unthinkable, which is to make it ever harder for women in those unthinkable moments.”
The Texas Politics Project’s June polling found that 45% of Texans believe abortion laws should be less strict, with 23% preferring no change, and 20% preferring stricter abortion laws.
Cruz leads Allred 45% to 34%, according to the Texas Politics Project’s June poll. Allred leads Cruz among Hispanic voters, 38% to 34%, while Cruz led 18-29 year olds 32% to 30%.
Speaker Race The Republican Party of Texas listed “No Democrat Chairs” as its fourth highest legislative priority in its recently released 2024 platform. Last regular session, Speaker Dade Phelan appointed 9 of the 37 House committee chairmanships to Democrats. Phelan defeated challenger David Covey by 366 votes in the runoff primary election and currently faces two challengers for the speakership: Rep. Shelby Slawson and Rep. Tom Oliverson.
Dade Phelan spending Speaker Dade Phelan made $5M in contributions to Texas House 2024 primary candidates and PACs. His largest 20 expenditures were:
Explore our databases and analysis tools for more election insights.
TXElects Election Updates
We bring you the latest candidate filings, campaign finance information and more for all candidates running for statewide, legislative and congressional offices.
Texas campaign spending
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC contributed at least $10M in total to Texas Legislature primary and runoff races. The top 20 expenditures were:
Texans United for a Conservative Majority contributed at least $7.7M in total to Texas Legislature primary and runoff races. The top 20 expenditures were:
Gov. Greg Abbott spent nearly contributed almost $9M in total to Texas Legislature primary and runoff races. The top 20 expenditures were:
Senate Race
UT Tyler’s June 11-20 Texas Registered Voter Survey shows Sen. Ted Cruz leading Democrat challenger Colin Allred 43% to 39%. Respondents listed securing the border as the most important policy issue facing Texas, followed by inflation and reproductive rights.
HD 70
In a Dallas WFAA Inside Texas Politics interview, incumbent Democrat Rep. Mihaela Plesa responded to claims that her district is one of the likeliest to flip. “We do the work, they said that last cycle and we were out-funded 4 to 1 … and we won.” The interview also covers school choice, the Speaker race, IVF, grid infrastructure, and other issues.
Biden debate performance
The Texas Tribune reported on down-ballot discussions following President Biden’s debate performance last Thursday. Former Republican Congresswoman Mayra Flores, currently challenging incumbent Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, wrote in a text message that “Gonzalez has supported Joe Biden every step of the way … Now is not the time for feeble leadership from Biden or blind yes men like Gonzalez.”
Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds of Missouri City wrote on Instagram that he was “very disturbed” by the debate and supported the nomination of VP Kamala Harris in place of President Biden. Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey took an alternate stance, encouraging members to not “say anything that they will regret later before everybody’s had a chance to just kind of chill a little bit.”
Explore our databases and analysis tools for more election insights.
