Republican incumbent , R-San Antonio, was defeated by challenger state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, for the 23rd congressional district, according to projections by the Texas Tribune. The district encompasses much of far West Texas, . With 82 percent of precincts reporting, Gallego has fifty percent of the vote to Canseco's 46 percent.
The race was among just a handful of competitive races for congressional seats in Texas this fall, along with Republican for the 10th congressional district.
Canseco was a Tea Party candidate who won office two years ago, but lost re-election to Gallego, who has served in the state legislature for 22 years.
Some $10 million was put into the race, with $6.5 million from outside political groups, according to the Texas Tribune.
Canseco made waves earlier this month when his campaign sent out mailers accusing Gallego of saying 鈥渘o to God,鈥� promoting abortions for young women, and pushing for 鈥渕arriage to be between man and man.鈥� The mailer , and was who had served in the state legislature with Canseco.
鈥淚n some ways, the closely fought race offers a glimpse of the state鈥檚 future: Hispanics make up almost 40 percent of Texas鈥� population, and they are to outnumber whites before the next census in 2020. Both parties are trying to win their loyalties in Texas, and this year CD-23 is ground zero 鈥� awash with outside money and national party anxiety,鈥� Jay Root in late October.