TEXAS — Despite a solid campaign from Rep. Colin Allred, Sen. Ted Cruz sailed to an easy victory Tuesday, defending his seat by a more comfortable margin than he did six years ago.

President-elect Donald Trump did better against Vice President Kamala Harris in Texas than he did against President Joe Biden in 2020.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa announced his resignation on Friday 

  • It comes after what has been viewed as a disastrous election performance from Democrats in Texas

  • President-elect Donald Trump did better in Texas Tuesday than he did in 2020. Sen. Ted Cruz easily defeated Rep. Colin Allred

  • Hinojosa, who has held the position for 12 years, will officially step down in March 2025

Trump flipped several Hispanic majority counties along the southern border, including Starr County, which a Republican presidential candidate last won in 1892. 

Democrats haven’t won a statewide election in Texas in 30 years.

With that, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa on Friday announced his resignation.

Hinojosa has led the state party for 12 years.

“On Tuesday, the Democratic Party suffered devastating defeats up and down the ballot in Texas and across the country. Voters sent a clear message to our party and our country that they want our leaders to talk to them about issues that they care about most, including the economy,” Hinojosa wrote in a news release announcing his resignation.

Democrats have floated the idea that Texas could be flipped blue recently, but Tuesday's results brought them back to reality.

Trump carried the Lone Star State by nearly 14 percentage points. Cruz defeated Allred by nearly 9 points. Democrats lost three seats in the Texas Legislature.

Republicans made major inroads with Texas Latino voters. They carried all four counties in the Rio Grande Valley — previously a blue stronghold.

Hinojosa said he will step down during the Spring SDEC (State Democratic Executive Committee) meeting in March 2025.

“In the days and weeks to come, it is imperative that our Democratic leaders across the country reevaluate what is best for our party and embrace the next generation of leaders to take us through the next four years of Trump and win back seats up and down the ballot,” Hinojosa wrote.

Earlier this week, Hinojosa blamed Democrats’ poor performance, in part, on their handling of transgender rights. He later apologized for his comments.

“I hope my successor will take on the job with the energy and creativity we need to build something new, but they will not start empty-handed,” Hinojosa wrote. “Over the last twelve years, the Texas Democratic Party, in partnership with countless allies, has put Texas on the battleground map and has made significant progress toward electing Democrats at every single level.”