Texas elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate for the first time in 38 years and a Democratic governor for the first time in 36 years, as James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton and Gina Hinojosa beat Greg Abbott. With about 65 percent of the votes counted, NBC and CNN called the Senate race for Talarico, who was ahead by roughly 21 points. Hinojosa led by nearly 16 points at the same stage, and CNN also called her race.

The results came amid strong dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and his administration’s handling of economic concerns. The article points to rising living costs, tariff policy and the war in Iran as factors that may have encouraged voters to use their ballots to oppose the president and Republicans who had not challenged him.

The candidates also offered distinct appeals. Talarico, a Christian and charismatic campaigner, faced an estimated $221 million in Republican attack advertising portraying him as a progressive radical. Hinojosa ran on lowering household costs, increasing teacher pay and limiting corporate influence in state government.

Their opponents faced vulnerabilities of their own. Paxton was described as a scandal-prone candidate accused of corruption and adultery, and ran a low-energy campaign. He had won the Republican primary runoff against longtime senator John Cornyn after receiving Trump’s endorsement. Abbott, governor for nearly 12 years, had previously presented himself as a practical choice but struggled to inspire strong support, according to the article.

Republican-aligned groups spent heavily in both contests. Outside groups put $316 million into the Senate race, while Abbott’s campaign spent nearly eight times as much as Hinojosa’s: $281 million compared with $36.8 million, according to The Texas Tribune. Elon Musk donated $158 million to a Republican Senate super PAC supporting Paxton and another $5 million to Abbott’s campaign.

Republican messaging focused heavily on cultural issues, including transgender rights, while voters nationwide identified affordability as their leading concern. Campaign mailers also attacked Hinojosa over a proposed state income tax and targeted Talarico after he took a 12-day break from in-person campaigning because of the flu.

The wins mark the return of Democrats to Texas’s statewide offices after long absences. The state’s last Democratic senator was Lloyd Bentsen, elected in 1988, and its last Democratic governor was Ann Richards, elected in 1990. The article argues that this year’s result reflected a break from the usual Texas preference for continuity, driven in part by economic pressure and opposition to Trump.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter.