The Democrats have regained control of the US Senate, a victory built on unexpected wins in the Deep South, including Texas turning blue for the first time in decades.
James Talarico, an Austin state representative, was elected to the Senate on Wednesday, November 4, defeating Republican Ken Paxton. The last time the Democrats won a Texas Senate seat was 38 years ago, when Lloyd Bentsen took the seat in 1988. Talarico was born the following May.
Historic victories in Texas
Talarico benefited from a combination of circumstances, including Paxton's liabilities and his own stellar fundraising. In the race's closing months, Trump and Senate GOP super PACs tried to paint Talarico as out of the mainstream, with Elon Musk spending $158 million to oppose the Democrat.
But Talarico won in Texas' metro areas, as well as in once GOP-leaning urban and suburban areas.
At the state level, Gina Hinojosa won the Gubernatorial election, beating incumbent Republican Greg Abbott by 1.3 percent in a tight race. Her victory was seen as an upset, as Abbott was seeking his fourth term, having led the state since 2014. Hinojosa, a state House member from Austin, will be Texas' first Latina Governor. The last Democrat Governor was Ann Richards in 1995.
South Carolina flips blue
Elsewhere, South Carolina, typically described as 'ruby red' such is the support for the Grand Old Party, flipped blue as Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham in the Senate race. Graham was the sister of long-term Senator Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly in July.
Speaking to cheering supporters, Andrews acknowledged her historic victory — she's the first woman to be elected to represent South Carolina in the Senate — and lamented vitriol in politics and influence from billionaires.
"South Carolina, you have shown the nation what is possible," Andrews said. She also said she'd stand up for her state, even if it means disagreeing with other Democrats.
But Andrews also alluded to Trump's support for Darline Graham, her opponent and the sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whose seat Darline Graham was appointed to fill. "The Senate seat does not belong to one family, one party or to Washington, D.C.," Andrews added.
Nationwide Democratic surge
The results came shortly before the Democrats officially gained control of the Senate, a victory built on winning in some of the most conservative US states.
As well as Texas and South Carolina, Josh Turek defeated Ashley Hinson in Iowa, and Adam Hamilton ousted Roger Marshall in Kansas, Sherrod Brown beat Jon Husted in Ohio and Roy Cooper took an open North Carolina seat as part of a cascade of stunning victories.
