Democrat Gina Hinojosa has won the Texas gubernatorial race, defeating Republican incumbent Greg Abbott to become the first Latina to ever hold the state’s top executive office. The victory follows a wider political shift for the party in Texas, which also saw James Talarico beat Attorney General Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat, the first time a Democrat has won that post in the state since 1988.

Talarico, a former teacher and seminarian, said he is willing to work with Republicans in Congress, including those who campaigned against him. Sen. John Cornyn said he will assist with the transition to the U.S. Senate and plans to accompany Talarico to his new office next week, while Sen. Ted Cruz congratulated Talarico and noted they would collaborate on Texas-specific needs like Hill Country flood relief.

Talarico attributed his success to a populist campaign focused on relief from rising costs and a renewed outreach to Latino voters in South Texas. He won the seat in a state that Donald Trump carried by nearly 14 points during the 2024 presidential election.