It's Wednesday, the day-of-the-week equivalent to one of those far-down ballot propositions you couldn't quite figure out, despite your civic-mindedness.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, cooler, with a high in the low 70s.

Today’s newsletter is an election-packed 940 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Texas woke up red yesterday and went to bed blue.

Why it matters: Just months ago, Democratic campaigns in the MAGA heartland appeared quixotic — obligatory more than realistic.

• Now those Democratic candidates have swept to power, led by two state representatives from Austin — James Talarico, soon to be seated in the U.S. Senate, and Gina Hinojosa, who will take her place in the new year in the governor's mansion.

Zoom in: The Democratic victories were comprehensive. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) unseated three-term Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

• Democrat Nathan Johnson defeated Republican Mayes Middleton in the race for attorney general.

What they're saying: "We just took back Texas," Talarico told his supporters.

What happened: An unpopular president and high gas and grocery prices deep-sixed red-state GOP candidates across the country.

• But the Texas GOP was further hampered by an unpopular U.S. Senate candidate (even members of his own party impeached him) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
• And Greg Abbott, who had served as governor since 2015, was unwilling to debate his gubernatorial opponent.

Meanwhile, Democrats were disciplined, with Talarico and Hinojosa staying on message about affordability even as their Republican opponents tried to make the race about social issues.

Follow the money: Republicans went down despite a rescue mission from Elon Musk, who gave north of $150 million in support of Paxton's campaign in a single quarter this year — and gave at least $5.5 million to Abbott's campaign this cycle.

The big picture: The Democratic wins have huge implications for the 2028 presidential race.

• Democrats have proven, after years of flailing, that they could win statewide in Texas, potentially putting the Lone Star State and its 40 electoral votes in play.
• Political pundits will be wondering: Was this a one-off wave amid a terrible midterm climate for Texas Republicans — or a sign of foundational change?

The bottom line: Fireworks were shooting off and horns were honking in Austin last night, and state agencies so long occupied by the GOP will now be run by Democrats, opening the way for wide policy changes in long-conservative Texas.

Voters in Austin gave one Austin City Council incumbent another four years while two others couldn't quite avoid a runoff.

Driving the news: In District 9, incumbent Zohaib "Zo" Qadri earned 51.4% of the vote, defeating Rich Heyman (24.7%) and Katie Kam (17.5%) and two other candidates, in a central city district where the race became a referendum on dense development in the city's older neighborhoods.

• In District 5, which includes the Zilker and Barton Hills neighborhoods, incumbent Ryan Alter (47.8% of the vote) will face David Weinberg (26.2%) in a runoff. The race was focused on City Council spending, homelessness and safety.
• In District 3, which includes a swath of South Austin and straddles the Colorado River east of I-35, incumbent José Velásquez (47.4% of the vote) will face Neha Shah (24.7%) in a runoff.

Zoom out: Amber Goodwin and Misael Ramos will head to a runoff to represent District 1, an open seat covering East and northeast Austin.

• And in District 8, which encompasses much of Southwest Austin, Selena Xie, an EMS commander and labor leader, defeated Jeffery Bowen, to replace Paige Ellis, who failed in her petition efforts to get on the ballot for a third term.

The big picture: The City Council determines the city budget, sets the city's property tax rate and oversees city operations.

Follow the money: Austin voters also approved a pair of bond measures that would raise $295 million to support parks and libraries.

What's next: The runoff elections will be Dec. 12.

More results

🏈 The Longhorns were ranked seventh by the College Football Playoff selection committee, likely making them a lock for the playoff if they win the rest of their schedule. (ESPN)

🗳️ Republican candidate Chris Gober, who led Elon Musk's America PAC in the 2024 election cycle, defeated Democrat Caitlin Rourk in the race to represent the 10th Congressional District, which includes parts of Austin. (Texas Tribune)

• Incumbent Michael McCaul did not run for reelection.

🛒 Dia's Market & Deli, on Justin Lane by Lamar Boulevard, is closing after 10 years in business. (CultureMap Austin)

Quote du jour

"Guess my election-interfering space lasers didn't work this time 🤷‍♂️"

As of mid-July 2025, Gina Hinojosa's campaign chest (she had yet to declare her gubernatorial run) had a shade under $25,000 on hand.

• Greg Abbott's campaign at the time had more than $86 million.

For the first time since 1990, Texas has elected a Democrat as governor.

Flashback: Like Hinojosa, Ann Richards built her political career in Austin, championed public education and focused on economic issues affecting working Texans.

Zoom in: Hinojosa celebrated her historic victory on social media with audio from Richards' 1991 inaugural address.

• "Today, we marched up Congress Avenue and we said that we were reclaiming the Capitol for the people of Texas," Richards said.

The bottom line: Hinojosa's victory marks a new chapter in Texas political history.

Thanks to Bob Gee for editing this newsletter.

🎥 Asher is watching this clip from an election-related movie.

💤 Nicole is catching up on sleep after reporting from Talarico's watch party.

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