Texas Midterms Determine Control of State Legislature and Federal Seats

Texas voters are determining the balance of power in Washington and the leadership of the state in this year's midterm elections. The results will decide which political party controls each chamber of the U.S. Congress for the remaining two years of the current presidential term.

The election cycle includes a contest for the governorship, which will determine who leads the state for the next four years. Voters are also selecting the next U.S. senator from Texas, a position that carries a six-year term. Additionally, the entire 150-member Texas House of Representatives is up for election, along with a portion of the state Senate seats.

This election serves as a major test for the Republican Party in Texas. The outcome hinges on several key races, including the federal senate seat and the governorship. The process involves a new district map for the lower house of the state legislature. Democrats are actively seeking to regain control of the U.S. Congress.

In Laredo, the office of U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar was evacuated as a precautionary measure after a suspicious package arrived. All staff members exited the building safely. Max Scher, the campaign director for Texans for Henry Cuellar, confirmed that one staff member who opened the package underwent a preventive medical evaluation.

Scher stated that the contents of the package and the specific circumstances leading to its arrival had not yet been confirmed. He thanked the authorities for their rapid response. Scher noted, “La violencia no tiene cabida en la política. La intimidación no tiene cabida en la política.” He assured that all members of the Cuellar team were safe and that the staff member was under medical observation.

The campaign encouraged residents in southern Texas to continue voting, noting that polling centers remained open. In Bexar County, preliminary figures from election officials showed that 60,684 people had cast their ballots by 1:00 p.m. on Election Day. During the hour leading up to that time, 10,156 voters turned out at the polls. Voting in Bexar County continues until 7:00 p.m.

Early voting in north Texas set new records. Turnout in Tarrant County increased by 32 percent compared to the 2018 election cycle. Dallas County saw a 28 percent rise in participation. Denton County recorded a 47 percent increase, while Collin County reported a 38 percent rise. In total, nearly 1.9 million votes were cast in these jurisdictions.

The final results will determine the composition of the Texas state legislature and the state's representation in the U.S. Senate. The elections conclude with the closing of polling places at 7:00 p.m. across the state.