Texas election results show shifts in statewide races

In the 2026 Texas elections, Democrat Jon Rosenthal appeared to win the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, leading Republican Bo French with approximately 56 percent of the vote as of Tuesday night. The Railroad Commission regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, including pipeline safety and natural gas rates. Rosenthal, a former oil field engineer, campaigned on lowering energy prices, while French focused on deregulation and social issues such as immigration and abortion.

The election cycle featured several high-profile contests, including a gubernatorial race and a Senate race involving Attorney General Ken Paxton and State Representative James Talarico. Voter sentiment across the state remained deeply divided. In regions like Odessa, some voters prioritized conservative social values, such as anti-abortion laws and religious beliefs, despite facing economic pressures like rising costs for groceries and fuel.

Rosenthal’s victory comes amid a broader trend where Democrats have secured several statewide races, a feat not seen since 1994. Following the results, Rosenthal stated that voters had rejected “the politics of hate.”