Over 4,000 supporters gathered in Austin celebrated as the Democrat claimed a U.S. Senate victory, hoping his win would usher in a new era for Texas politics.
By Sally Avila Edwards ,Staff Writer
U.S. Sen.-Elect James Talarico addressed supporters during a victory speech on Nov. 3, 2026.Special/KXAS-TV
AUSTIN – Ervin Jordan jumped up and down as election results rolled in Tuesday night, his cowboy hat bobbing above the crowd of supporters gathered to watch Democrat James Talarico’s bid for the U.S. Senate.
For Jordan, a 43-year-old military veteran and former bull rider from Houston, the election was about more than sending a Democrat to Washington. It was about bringing Texans back together after decades of Republican dominance.
“I was young when we had all Democrats, then I grew into all the Republicans. And I’ve seen the decline of Texas, the separation of Texas. This right here, Talarico is going to bring us back together as one Texas,” Jordan said.
That sense of possibility brought supporters from across Texas to Austin, where they watched election returns with hopes that Talarico could accomplish something Democrats have failed to do for decades: win a statewide election.
Amo...