Collin County Shakeup: Democrats Flip Key Seats as Paxton Loses Home Turf

James Talarico won 55% of the vote in Collin County on Tuesday, defeating Attorney General Ken Paxton in a race that upended expectations in one of North Texas' most reliable Republican districts. The result marked a sharp break from the past, as voters in the community that helped launch Paxton’s political career chose the Democrat instead. Gina Hinojosa also carried the county in her race against Governor Greg Abbott, extending the Democratic gains across the state.

The shift extended down the ballot line. In Texas House District 89, Angie Carroway, a social studies teacher, defeated the Republican incumbent. Carroway cited cuts to public education as the primary driver for her candidacy. "It's just so surreal," she said. She described the outcome as a signal that local residents were ready to demand change. "Our community had just had enough and it was time to step up and make some changes," Carroway added.

At the county level, Julie Holmer, a former Plano City Council member, secured a seat on the Collin County Commissioners Court. Holmer is the first Democrat elected to that body in decades. She cited a need for broader representation as a key factor in her victory. "I think people were ready for representation of our whole community," Holmer said. Her win places her in a position to manage a county facing infrastructure pressures from rapid population growth.

Republican incumbents held firm in several other contests. U.S. Reps. Pat Fallon and Keith Self both won reelection. Self's race was closer than expected, but he maintained his seat. State Reps. Matt Shaheen and Jeff Leach also retained their positions. Leach’s victory was narrow, with him defeating challenger Wheatley by a margin of just 200 votes.

Voters in Collin County rejected several countywide propositions aimed at addressing infrastructure needs. The defeated measures included funding for road construction and expansions of the county jail and courthouse. These unresolved issues will now be among the first challenges Holmer faces as she begins her term. "Obviously the county is growing very quickly and we need to make sure that we’re prepared for that growth," Holmer said.

The 2026 results illustrate a changing political dynamic in a county that has long served as a cornerstone for Republican politics in North Texas. While Republicans continue to hold prominent federal and state offices, the Democratic gains in local and statewide races signal a measurable shift in voter preference within the rapidly growing region.