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🌤️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny, with a high in the low 80s.

Today’s newsletter is 961 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Democrats on Tuesday reversed Republican advances in Latino-majority communities that helped fuel President Trump's return to the White House.

Why it matters: Republicans hoped Trump's 2024 breakthrough with Latino voters would signal a lasting political realignment. But Tuesday's results raise questions about the durability of those gains heading into 2028.

By the numbers: A poll of Latino voters presented by UnidosUS, a nonpartisan Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, and conducted by BSP Research, found that James Talarico led Ken Paxton 65% to 31% among Latino voters statewide. In the Rio Grande Valley, Talarico led 74% to 24%.

• BSP Research surveyed 844 Texas Latino voters, including 176 in the Rio Grande Valley, from Oct. 20 to Nov. 3. The statewide sample had a margin of error of ±3.4 percentage points.

Zoom in: The Democratic gains extended beyond the Rio Grande Valley, reaching Latino-heavy counties across Texas, according to a comparison of New York Times unofficial election results for gubernatorial and Senate races.

• Jim Wells and Nueces counties, in the Coastal Bend, voted Republican in the 2024 presidential election but backed Democrats in both statewide races Tuesday.
• El Paso and Bexar counties were solidly blue two years ago. This year, Talarico won by 48 points and Hinojosa by 42 in El Paso, compared with Harris' 15-point margin in 2024. In Bexar, Talarico won by 35 points and Hinojosa by 31, compared with Harris' 10-point margin.

Yes, but: In West Texas' Reeves County, Talarico won by 8 points, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott carried the county by 4 points. Trump had won there by 37 points in 2024.

Zoom out: The reversal was also evident along the South Texas border, where Republicans celebrated historic gains two years ago.

• Talarico led by 38 points in Cameron County, 46 in Hidalgo County and 47 in Webb County in unofficial returns. Trump narrowly carried all three counties in 2024.

Reality check

With Democrats snatching political power in Texas, issues ranging from abortion access to THC could be back on the table next year.

Why it matters: The extent of the Democratic wave came into sharper focus yesterday.

State of play: Democrats won control of the Texas House, going from 62 seats in the 150-member chamber to at least 76, AP projects.

• Democrats will also control the governor's office, lieutenant governor's office and several other statewide positions beginning in January.

Yes, but: Republicans retained their Texas Senate majority, potentially limiting Democrats' legislative ambitions.

The intrigue: Democrats now face the challenge of addressing problems voters believe Republicans ignored without alienating their newfound supporters.

• Southern Methodist University political science professor Cal Jillson tells Axios Democrats must tread carefully to ensure their changes don't seem too dramatic or expensive for Texans.

What we're watching: How incoming leaders approach abortion, transgender and gun rights, if at all, when the Legislature convenes in January.

The bottom line: "Now the question is, what do Democrats, some of whom didn't expect to be in office, intend to do with their new authority?" Jillson asks.

Several topics considered a bust may be back in play as Democrats take control of Texas politics.

Here is what we're watching...

Likely winners

💨 Hemp purveyors and consumers: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was zealous in his opposition to marijuana use. Not so for Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin, who said earlier this week with regard to cannabis: "We should legalize and regulate and respect the personal freedom of Texans."

💸 Sports gambling: Ditto betting — Patrick nearly single-handedly quashed efforts to legalize betting that emerged from the Texas House. Goodwin has endorsed putting the matter to a statewide referendum.

🎒 Public schools and teachers: With Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, expect lawmakers to dedicate more money to public schools. Broader state budget issues notwithstanding, teachers could see a pay bump.

🩺 Women's health advocates: Lawmakers are likely to look for ways to loosen state abortion restrictions.

Likely losers

💿 Data centers: Hinojosa made opposition to data centers central to her campaign.

💰 School vouchers: The GOP apparatus that promoted private school vouchers — spearheaded by Abbott — is out. Look for Democratic lawmakers in the House to argue that voucher money should instead go to public schools.

Universities, large cities and GOP appointees

💧 A water main break shut down a portion of Broadway near Pearl yesterday. SAWS says the pipe dates to 1887 and is part of its larger problem with aging infrastructure. (KSAT)

👀 The federal contractor that is set to transform an East Side warehouse into an ICE detention facility has closed its San Antonio office and laid off 89 local employees. (SA Business Journal 🔑)

📚 At least four Democrats won seats on the state Board of Education, a weakening of GOP dominance on the board that OK'd Bible lessons for public school students. (Texas Tribune)

Tomorrow

🚗 Head to the San Antonio Auto and Truck Show at the Freeman Coliseum.

• General admission tickets cost $15; times vary through Sunday.

Saturday

😋 Arrive hungry at the free fall food truck festival at Ingram Park Mall, noon-5pm.

• There will also be a petting zoo, face painting and much more.

🪔 Enjoy Diwali, known as the free Festival of Lights, running 4:30pm-midnight at the Arneson River Theater and Hemisfair. Expect performances, food and — of course — lights.

💬 Grab a seat to see author and humorist David Sedaris speak at the Empire Theatre, 8pm.

• Ticket prices vary.

Sunday

🛍️ Prepare to shop at the Alamo Heights Holiday Vintage Market, 10am-4pm at Antiques at Broadway.

Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.

☕️ Madalyn wants to check out Ray & Josephine soon.

✍️ Megan is reading more about the down-ballot Democrats who will hold statewide office in January.