Dallas, Texas – Tuesday’s midterms were bruising for Republicans in Texas, a longtime right-wing stronghold. The state elected its first Democrats to statewide office in 32 years, and the left-wing party held onto four congressional districts that were recently redesigned to favour Republicans. But Republicans had one redistricting bright spot in a sea of unexpected defeats in Texas this midterm election cycle.
Amid the so-called blue wave, Republican Jace Yarbrough defeated Dan Barrios in Texas’s 32nd congressional district near Dallas, taking control of a heavily redrawn seat previously held by a Democrat. Yarbrough became the only Republican this year to flip a Texas congressional seat, despite a push under United States President Donald Trump to shake up the state’s map for the right-wing party’s benefit. So how did Yarbrough buck the trend?
He was successful for two reasons, according to Matthew Wilson, a professor at Southern Methodist University who lives in the 32nd district. A constitutional lawyer, Yarbrough had defined his career by litigating progressive policies. But Wilson explained that the cost of living and other economic concerns took an increasingly prominent role in the final months of Yarbrough’s bid.
And so he did talk a lot about lowering prices. He did talk a lot about things that were of concern more to voters in the centre of the electorate.” Wilson added there was another important factor in Yarbrough’s victory. That push came at the behest of Trump, who called on Republican-led states across the country to follow suit.
Yarbrough’s district was redrawn to include only a portion of Dallas. It now stretches east instead, to encompass several Republican-dominated counties. The demographics of the district also shifted dramatically.
In 2024, the district encompassed sizeable Latino, Black and Asian communities, accounting for about 60 percent of the population. The new map lowered the share of those demographics, while including several predominantly white areas. Still, Wilson pointed out that Yarbrough’s victory was far more muted than initially expected.
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