Texas voters are deciding one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races, with Democrat James Talarico facing Republican Ken Paxton for an open seat. The outcome could play a major role in determining control of the U.S. Senate. Follow along for the latest Texas Senate election results and updates as votes are counted.
Did James Talarico or Ken Paxton Win the Texas Senate Race? Live Updates, U.S. Election results
9:17 P.M. ET: Talarico maintains lead, Paxton narrows gap
James Talarico is maintaining his lead, currently holding 56.3% of Texas’ reported votes. However, Ken Paxton has started to tighten the race.
8:18 P.M. ET: Talarico takes early lead
James Talarico has taken an early lead with 8% of voting results reported in Texas, according to the Associated Press.
7:41 P.M. ET: Polls close soon in Texas
Polls close in Texas at 7 p.m. local, as voters will decide one of the most crucial races in the 2026 U.S. elections Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton. There is no current timetable on when results will be announced, so stay tuned for further updates.
Check out our liveblog for the latest updates on the United States 2026 elections, including results and polling trends!
2026 U.S. Midterm Elections FAQ
How many seats are in the U.S. Senate?
There are 100 seats in the U.S. Senate — two for each state. Senators serve six-year terms, but the full chamber is not elected at once. Instead, roughly one-third of Senate seats are up for election every two years.
In 2026, voters will decide 35 Senate races:
- 33 regularly scheduled elections
- Two special elections, in Ohio and Florida
- 22 Republican-held seats being defended
- 13 Democratic-held seats being defended
Who is the Senate Majority Leader currently?
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) became the Senate Majority Leader when the 119th Congress began in 2025 and succeed Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).