Texas underwent a shocking political flip after Tuesday’s election results, and Denton County played a unique role.
Denton County voters showed their support for Democrats in some of the biggest races in Texas, including narrow majority votes for Gina Hinojosa for governor and James Talarico for U.S. Senator.
On the county level, incumbent Republicans Ben Bumgarner and Kevin Falconer were ousted by Democratic opponents.
However, after all ballots were counted early Wednesday morning, many Republican candidates had survived the night.
Despite, Republican Andy Hopper losing by nearly 10,000 votes in Denton County, support for him in Wise County was enough to push him across the finish line.
After a landslide victory in 2024, Republican firebrand Congressman Brandon Gill declared victory again in 2026, this time by a much slimmer margin.
U.S. House of Representatives
District 26
- Republican Brandon Gill – 169,312 (53.27%)
- Democrat Steven Shook – 144,439 (45.44%)
- Libertarian Phil Gray – 4,088 (1.29%)
Texas House
District 57
- Republican Richard Hayes – 40,254 (50.64%)
- Democrat Ray Stith – 37,335 (46.97%)
- Libertarian Darren Hamilton – 1,900 (2.39 %)
District 63
- Republican Ben Bumgarner – 35,738 (48.94%)
- Democrat Denise Wooten – 37,292 (51.06%)
District 64
- Republican Andy Hopper – 45,572 (54.55%)
- Democrat Julie Evans – 37,970 (45.45%)
District 65
- Republican Mitch Little – 47,256 (52.99%)
- Democrat Detrick DeBurr – 41,926 (47.01%)
County Judge, Commissioners
Judge
- Republican Andy Eads – 192,497 (50.77%)
- Democrat Nick Pappas – 186,654 (49.23%)
Commissioner, Precinct No. 2
- Republican Kevin Falconer – 41,753 (47.42%)
- Democrat Candace Valenzuela – 46,289 (52.58%)
Commissioner, Precinct No. 4
- Republican David Wylie – 58,161 (55.35%)
- Democrat Stephanie Draper – 46,919 (44.65%)
Multiple local cities and towns voted on propositions affecting alcohol sales and a a sales tax dedicated to road maintenance.
Statewide races (Denton County votes only)
U.S. Senator
- Republican Ken Paxton – 177,859 (44.89%)
- Democrat James Talarico – 211,266 (53.32%)
- Libertarian Ted Brown – 6,834 (1.72%)
Governor
- Republican Greg Abbott – 191,413 (48.22%)
- Democrat Gina Hinojosa – 199,625 (50.29%)
- Libertarian Pat Dixon – 5,634 (1.42%)
Lieutenant Governor
- Republican Dan Patrick – 189,464 (47.97%)
- Democrat Vikki Goodwin – 195,793 (49.58%)
- Libertarian Anthony Cristo – 6,482 (1.64%)
- Green Kevin McCormick – 3,102 (0.79%)
Attorney General
- Republican Mayes Middelton – 189,394 (48.30%)
- Democrat Nathan Johnson – 196,793 (50.19%)
- Libertarian Tom Oxford – 5,945 (1.52%)
Comptroller
- Republican Don Huffines – 191,932 (48.87%)
- Democrat Sarah Eckhardt – 191,748 (48.83%)
- Libertarian V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza – 6,444 (1.64%)
- Green Shehla Faizi – 2,582 (0.66%)
Railroad Commissioner
- Republican Bo French – 187,651 (48.11%)
- Democrat Jon Rosenthal – 194,504 (49.87%)
- Libertarian Arthur DiBianca – 7,890 (2.02%)
