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Talarico Wins Texas Democratic Senate Primary as GOP Contest Heads to Runoff

Ballots cast after 7 p.m. in Dallas remain set aside under a Texas Supreme Court order.

Overview

  • The Associated Press called James Talarico the Democratic primary winner over Jasmine Crockett by roughly eight points, about 53.2% to 45.5% with around 85% of votes counted.
  • A Dallas judge briefly extended polling to 9 p.m., then the Texas Supreme Court ordered ballots delivered after 7 p.m. set aside following an appeal by Ken Paxton, leaving their fate unresolved.
  • Talarico, a 36-year-old former seminarian, ran a faith-inflected campaign centered on a message of love, outreach to moderates and independents, and opposition to Christian nationalism.
  • Democratic participation surged with more early votes than Republicans for the first time in over two decades, and Talarico massively outspent Crockett, roughly $24.5 million to $5 million in advertising.
  • The Republican Senate race advances to a May 26 runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose potential nomination many see as advantageous to Democrats in November.