Happy Wednesday! Certainty evolves from action.

☀️ Today's weather: High near 72 and sunny, perfect for a stroll.

🎵 Sounds like: "Choices"

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🗳️ Situational awareness: Democrats had a big night last night, flipping several Republican-controlled seats and securing control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

• Meanwhile, a Republican effort to carve out five additional GOP congressional districts in Texas backfired. The party lost races for at least three of the seats and two Republican districts. More on the election results below.

Today's newsletter is 1,063 defining words — a 4-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 liberal 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 before hitting up a Whataburger for post-win beverages with Hinojosa.

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 and North Texan Ken Paxton.
• And Greg Abbott, who had served as governor since 2015, was unwilling to debate his gubernatorial opponent.

Between the lines: 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.

• 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: State agencies long occupied by the GOP will now be run by Democrats, opening the way for wide policy changes in long-conservative Texas.

Statewide results dominated local and national news last night, but North Texas also had some big outcomes.

The big picture: Voters in U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett's district elected Dallas pastor Frederick Haynes III as her successor. Colin Allred won his bid to return to the U.S. House.

• And, in the 32nd Congressional District that Republicans redrew last year, Trump-backed Jace Yarbrough defeated Democrat Dan Barrios with nearly 51.5% of votes, per unofficial results.

More results…

🌊 Tarrant County's new judge: Voters elected the first Black and female county judge. Democrat Alisa Simmons received 56.4% of the vote to defeat incumbent Republican Tim O'Hare, who ran on a platform of promoting conservative governance.

• "'I did not run to fight — I ran to serve," Simmons said in her victory speech, per WFAA.

⚖️ Dallas County's new district attorney: Former state district judge Amber Givens will replace incumbent John Creuzot after keeping a write-in challenger at bay.

• Yes, but: Dozens of prosecutors and staff at the DA's office have submitted resignations amid the shakeup, per the Dallas Morning News.

💰 Bond proposals fail: All four of Collin County's bond propositions this year failed, per unofficial results. Dallas County voters rejected the county's proposition intended to support unhoused individuals.

• Dallas residents also rejected the city's bond measure for public safety projects.

🎯 Previous flip holds: State Sen. Taylor Rehmet held on to the GOP-held seat he flipped in Tarrant County earlier this year. He received around 51% of votes over Trump-backed Leigh Wambsganss.

🏨 Plano's venue taxes fail: Plano residents rejected hotel occupancy and other venue-related taxes that would help fund the Dallas Stars' arena project, with almost 55% of votes cast against the proposition.

🏀 Patrick Dumont and Sivan Ochshorn are now the controlling owners of the Mavericks after the couple bought shares owned by Miriam Adelson last month. (ESPN)

🃏 The Dallas City Council is considering up to $11 million in incentives for playing card maker Cartamundi to manufacture more Pokemon and other decks in the city. (DMN)

🍽️ Punk Noir and Pillar were among the Dallas-area restaurants that closed in October. (Dallas Observer)

🏈 Former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will serve as the University of Oklahoma's offensive coordinator and play-caller for the rest of season. (FOX4)

Months go into planning Election Day and your elections administrators are probably already thinking about the next one.

Our wishlist for the next round of elections includes:

😤 Better stickers: We are deeply envious of Dallas County voters and their artsy "I voted" stickers. Consider this our unofficial petition for all North Texas counties to move away from the generic "I voted" stickers. Please.

🚍 More rides to polling stations: Tarrant County organizations and Trinity Metro offered rides for early voting and Election Day this year. DART also waived fares for voters yesterday.

📋 Opting out of elections communications: If you already know who you are voting for, you should have the option to opt out of all election-related texts and mailers. Wishful thinking, we know.

✍️ Have more ideas for this list? Click this link and let us know!

This newsletter was edited by Bob Gee.

Our picks:

🤪 Naheed made the mistake of scheduling her annual physical for this morning, after working way late last night.

👀 Megan is reading about the SMU alum who is now the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Kansas in 94 years.

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