An anguished supporter of Republican Ken Paxton screamed 'No!' in disbelief as Democrat James Talarico pulled off a stunning victory in Texas's Senate race.
The man was shouting in upset at Paxton's election night headquarters on Tuesday as the results confirmed the Republican's defeat.
Other supporters appeared equally devastated as the celebrations they had hoped for turned into a major upset.
The scenes were captured in footage shared on X by New York Times reporter Lauren McGaughy.
Talarico—a Democratic state representative—defeated Paxton in Tuesday's election, becoming the first Democrat to win a US Senate seat in Texas since 1988.
The historic upset dealt a crushing blow to Republicans, who have dominated statewide elections in Texas for decades.
The result ended Texas Democrats' 38-year losing streak in Senate elections.
Talarico, 37, a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, campaigned on lowering living costs, fighting political corruption and challenging the influence of wealthy donors.
An anguished supporter of Republican Ken Paxton screamed 'No!' in disbelief as Democrat James Talarico pulled off a stunning victory in Texas's Senate race
The historic upset dealt a crushing blow to Republicans, who have dominated statewide elections in Texas for decades.
Other supporters appeared equally devastated
Here at Ken Paxton HQ, man in crowd yells “no!” as race called called for James Talarico. Then “Gloria” begins playing loudly on speakers. pic.twitter.com/MyvN95JjPT
— Lauren McGaughy (@lmcgaughy) November 4, 2026
Meanwhile, Paxton's campaign was hindered by several corruption charges—including a 2023 impeachment courtesy of members of his own party. The Texas Senate ultimately acquitted Paxton.
Talarico had previously blasted Paxton's record in a series of final ads.
'Ken Paxton says I don't have his experience. And he's right,' the 37-year-old said.
'I've never been indicted for fraud. I've never been reported to the FBI for bribery. I've never been impeached by my own party. And I'd never given a sweetheart deal to a pedophile.'
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Paxton and Republicans used some of Talarico's questionable statements – including that God is 'non-binary' – and support for trans rights to weigh him down, but it didn't prove true Tuesday night.
At his election celebration in Austin, Talarico told cheering supporters: 'We just took back Texas!'
He also compared his victory to the biblical story of David and Goliath, declaring: 'The people of Texas were my slingshot and tonight we defeated Goliath.'
Talarico led Paxton by an extraordinary 12 points, with 84 percent of the vote counted.
He dedicated his victory to every underdog who has been 'counted out' and said his win wasn't about party.
'The real fight in this country is not left versus right; it is top versus bottom,' he said.
Talarico led Paxton by an extraordinary 12 points, with 84 percent of the vote counted
Talarico's race was the most expensive Senate race in US history, with nearly $590 million spent on advertising across the primary and general election campaigns.
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