US Midterms: CBS projects blue wave hitting Texas, Dems lead gubernatorial, Senate races

Democrats are making early inroads into traditionally Republican territory, with candidates leading in Texas' Senate and gubernatorial races, according to projections by CBS News, putting the spotlight on a potential shift in the state's political landscape during the 2026 US midterm elections.

Democratic candidates James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa were ahead of their Republican rivals in the two high-profile contests, with more than half the ballots counted, CBS News projections showed.

In the gubernatorial race, Hinojosa secured 57.2% of the votes, compared with Republican incumbent Greg Abbott's 41.6%, with 54% of ballots counted.


In the Senate contest, Talarico was leading Republican Ken Paxton with 59.4% of the votes against Paxton's 39.1%, with 53% of ballots counted, according to CBS News.

The leads put Democrats in contention in two of Texas' most prominent electoral contests, although neither race had been called and counting was still underway.

A Democratic victory in either statewide contest would carry significance for the party, which has not won a statewide election in Texas in more than three decades. The state has remained a Republican stronghold, making the early projections a closely watched development in this year's midterms.

Democrats were also showing signs of gains in Kansas, another traditionally Republican state. The Senate contest there was leaning towards Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton, with NBC News assigning at least 75% confidence to the projected outcome.

The emerging results in Texas and Kansas could have implications for the broader electoral battle, as voters decide the composition of Congress and determine whether President Donald Trump's Republican Party retains its control over the legislature for the remainder of his second term.