Swanson trails in HD 150 as Democrats flip Texas House

Spring's state representative, Valoree Swanson, trailed Democrat A'Yonna Kellum in the race for Texas House District 150 as of Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Unofficial results showed Kellum leading Swanson 51% to 49%, according to Community Impact, which reported 100% of counties and 99.06% of polling locations reporting as of 3 p.m. Nov. 4. The two candidates were separated by fewer than 1,000 votes, The Texan reported. All results remain unofficial until canvassed.

Swanson, a Republican who has represented the Spring-area district, was one of at least four Harris County Republican legislators swept out of office in what The Texan called a "blue tsunami." HD 150 carried a Texas Partisan Index rating of R-61%, tying it for the strongest Republican lean among districts that flipped, The Texan reported.

Neither Swanson nor Kellum had issued public statements on the race as of publication.

Nearby races

HD 150 was not the only Spring-area seat to shift. In neighboring HD 126, where incumbent state Rep. Sam Harless did not seek re-election, Republican Stan Stanart and Democrat Stefanie Bord were tied at 50% each in Community Impact's 3 p.m. update. Community Impact reported that District 126 could face a runoff if the tie holds and neither candidate ends up with a majority. The Texan's results table listed the seat as a Democratic flip, and an earlier Texan report put Bord ahead by 265 votes.

In HD 127, incumbent state Rep. Charles Cunningham trailed Democrat Michelle Williams by 1,854 votes out of nearly 80,000 ballots cast, according to The Texan.

Statewide shift

Democrats seized control of the Texas House for the first time in more than 20 years, KLTV reported, citing the Texas Tribune. By Wednesday afternoon, the Associated Press had called 11 Republican-held seats for Democrats, three GOP incumbents had conceded, and Democrats led in at least seven other districts where all Election Day votes had been counted, according to KLTV's report.

The shift could net Democrats as many as 21 seats, giving them an 83-67 majority when the Legislature convenes in January, KLTV reported, pending recounts and the counting of mail-in and provisional ballots. NBC News reported that the AP had not yet called control of the chamber as of Wednesday morning, though state party leaders said it was within reach.

The Texan reported that the Texas Secretary of State showed Democrats leading in 18 seats previously held by Republicans as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. In 13 of those races, the Republican was the incumbent. Early results pointed to a new balance of 90 Democrats and 60 Republicans, The Texan reported, though some races remained too close to call.

The wave built on Democratic wins at the top of the ticket. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lost his re-election bid, and losses by Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton pulled down Republican candidates across the ballot, the Texas Tribune reported.

GOP data consultant Ross Hunt said his party's losses were broader than expected. "Republicans are going to have to really reinvent their party here in the state if they wanted to be able to go back and contend again for the territory they've lost," Hunt told the Texas Tribune.

What a new majority could mean

State Rep. Christina Morales, who chairs House Democrats' campaign arm, told the Texas Tribune that early priorities for a Democratic majority would include expanding Medicaid and repealing school vouchers.

The Texas Senate remained in Republican hands. KLTV reported the chamber at 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats. The Texan put the count at 20 Republicans and 11 Democrats. A Democratic lieutenant governor, Vikki Goodwin, will preside over that Republican-controlled body after defeating Patrick, The Texan reported.

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat who has served since 1973, announced a bid for House speaker on election night with the backing of at least 11 Democrats, including caucus chair Gene Wu, the Texas Tribune reported. Texas Scorecard reported that Thompson's announcement included endorsements from 10 Democratic lawmakers.

Winners of the November election will begin serving in January 2027. The 90th Texas Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 12, according to Community Impact.