How El Paso County voters contributed to Texas’ flip

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- For the first time in more than three decades, Democrats secured major victories in Texas statewide races while taking control of the U.S. House and Senate. Voters in El Paso County contributed significantly to the historic outcome.

All eyes were on Texas' Senate and gubernatorial races, which both resulted in Democratic victories. James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton, and Gina Hinojosa unseated Governor Greg Abbott.

As of Wednesday, with an estimated 99% of votes counted for locally, Talarico led Paxton in El Paso County with more than 100,000 votes.

Talarico held 159,272 votes to Paxton's 54,576 a stark difference reflecting strong local turnout.

His victory marked the first time Texas sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.

El Paso County Elections Department reported that, according to its unofficial results, 153,639 voters elected Hinojosa, giving her 70.14% of the total vote. Abbott earned 61,410 votes.

The department's unofficial results show that the county saw a 41% voter turnout. Out of 540,641 registered voters, 221,709 ballots were cast.