Good morning! Texas saw some seismic political shifts last night, and we're here to get you up to speed.

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Today’s newsletter is 849 words — a 3-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, per the Associated Press.

• 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: Horns were honking in San Antonio 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.

A Republican effort to carve out five additional GOP congressional districts in Texas backfired, with the party losing at least three of them, plus two Republican districts.

Why it matters: All of those districts are majority Latino, as Hispanic voters pivoted away from the GOP.

The latest: In the districts targeted by the GOP, South Texas Democratic U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez won reelection.

• Democrat Johnny Garcia defeated President Trump-endorsed Carlos De La Cruz in the San Antonio. A Houston-area redistricted seat was on track to go to the Democrat, Leticia Gutierrez, per the Associated Press.
• Plus: Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz lost reelection to Tejano star and Democrat Bobby Pulido in the Rio Grande Valley, and Democrat Katy Padilla Stout beat Republican Brandon Herrera in the sprawling 23rd District that hasn't elected a Democrat since Pete Gallego in 2012.

Catch up quick: Texas Republicans last year, at the urging of Trump, kicked off a nationwide redistricting war for control of the U.S. House.

• The party leaned on past gains with Latino voters, but that support eroded, as concerns grew about Trump's handling of the economy and mass deportations.

🔀 Republican state Rep. Marc LaHood lost reelection to Democrat Zack Dunn, marking the first time voters in that district — once home to former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus — have elected a Democrat since 1981. (SA Report)

⚖️ Democrat Luz Elena Chapa won the open seat for Bexar County district attorney. (KSAT)

✅ Former Mayor Ron Nirenberg, a Democrat, will be the next Bexar County judge. (TPR)

🎒 A 20-year extension of Pre-K 4 SA won overwhelming support from voters. (Express-News 🔑)

❌ Voters rejected tax increases and bond funding for Northside and San Antonio ISDs. (KENS)

For the first time in 36 years, Texas has elected a Democratic woman as governor.

Flashback: Ann Richards won the governor's race on Nov. 6, 1990, and was sworn in on Jan. 15, 1991.

• Like Hinojosa, 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' 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 our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.

😴 Madalyn is fueling up on all the coffee after a long election night.

▶️ Megan is rewatching some of the classic election scenes from "Gilmore Girls."