Republicans reasserted their decades-long iron grip on Texas by securing comfortable victories all over the ballot Tuesday, dashing Democrats’ hopes of an upset and propelling the state further to the right. No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, and Democrats again failed to break through in Tuesday’s elections. At the top of the ticket, former President Donald Trump won Texas for the third time, handily defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by a double digit margin that well exceeded his performances against President Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Incumbent U.S. Sen.
Ted Cruz shrugged off a well-funded and energetic campaign by U.S. Rep.
Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat, securing what appeared likely to be a double-digit percentage point margin. Lower down the ballot, Republicans gained seats in the state Legislature and in the judicial system, ensuring an even more conservative government in 2025. Democrats started the night with the expectation that, even if they lost at the top of the ticket, they’d show they were making progress in turning Texas into the nation’s largest swing state.
Instead, the GOP seemed to erase any sign of progress its opponents had been making in recent elections. “Texans sent a clear message,” Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Tuesday evening.
“They want safer streets, a secure border, a strong economy, and the opportunity to choose the best school for their children. And that’s ex.
