Republican Flips Texas House Seat in District Where Biden Won by 14 Points

A Republican managed to flip a Democratic-held Texas state House seat Tuesday in a district that President 👤Joe Biden won in November by 14 points.

While most of the attention nationally was on Republican victories across Virginia and a surprisingly close race in New Jersey, one Texas special election could be a sign that Democrats are in trouble nationwide.

Republican John Lujan defeated Democrat Frank Ramirez 51 percent to 49 percent on Tuesday to take the Texas House District 118 race, The Texas Tribune reported.

That seat was previously held by Democrat Leo Pacheco, who resigned to take a teaching position at San Antonio College.

The victory is sure to have resounding effects far away for Democrats, as District 118, the southern portion of San Antonio, was won by Biden in 2020 by 14 points.

Lujan, who previously held the seat, claimed victory in a statement.

“I’m a blessed man to win this for the second time, and to be the only Republican ever to win this seat, I think, is really important for us down here,” he told the Tribune. He also labeled the win as one for “conservatism” among Hispanics.

Ramirez conceded the race in a statement to the Tribune.