By Dianté Marigny
Texas voters headed to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, casting ballots in closely watched statewide, congressional and local elections that could bring significant changes to the state’s political leadership.
By Wednesday morning, Democratic candidates held leads in several major statewide races, including governor, U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor and attorney general, according to unofficial results from the Texas Secretary of State.
In the governor’s race, Democrat Gina Hinojosa led Republican incumbent Greg Abbott with approximately 5.2 million votes to Abbott’s 4.5 million. Libertarian candidate Pat Dixon had received more than 146,000 votes.
The U.S. Senate race also showed a Democratic lead, with James Talarico receiving approximately 5.4 million votes compared with Republican Ken Paxton’s 4.2 million. Libertarian Ted Brown received nearly 189,000 votes.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, Democrat Vikki Goodwin led Republican incumbent Dan Patrick with approximately 5.1 million votes to Patrick’s 4.5 million.
Democrat Nathan Johnson also led Republican Mayes Middleton in the attorney general’s race, with approximately 5.1 million votes compared with 4.5 million.
The statewide figures were reported Wednesday, with approximately 99% of polling locations reporting. Results remain unofficial until the election canvass is completed.
The election also drew attention across the Rio Grande Valley, where voters decided congressional and local races.
In Texas’ 15th Congressional District, Democrat Bobby Pulido led Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz with 126,204 votes to 76,305, according to the state’s unofficial results, with all polling locations reporting.
Closer to home, voters in the Laguna Madre Water District’s Place 5 board election considered three candidates: incumbent Adam LaLonde, Glenn Young and Faridy Gonzalez.
The water district race followed questions raised during the campaign about voting eligibility and the costs of proposed water and sewer infrastructure improvements at Long Island Village.
With ballots counted across much of Texas, attention now turns to the certification of results and the transition to the next terms of office.
Election results are unofficial until certified by the appropriate election authorities.