Austin, Texas - James Talarico has been declared by multiple outlets the winner of Texas' closely watched Democratic primary for US Senate, defeating Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.

The Associated Press has called the race for Talarico, showing him with 53.1% of the vote with 86% of ballots counted. Crockett followed with 45.6%.

"AP declared Talarico the winner after seeing enough Election Day votes to confirm he would stay above the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff. At the time of the call, Talarico had won a majority of advance ballots and ballots cast on Election Day," the outlet's decision team explained.

"Crockett had the lead around Dallas and Houston, but she was not winning updates in those counties by enough to suggest a runoff was possible."

Crockett (44) is in the midst of her second term representing Texas' 30th congressional district, having assumed office in 2023.

Talarico (36) is a Presbyterian seminarian and former public school teacher who has been a member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2018.

The Democratic primary race in Texas was marked by mass confusion and accusations of disenfranchisement as people were reportedly turned away from polling sites in two counties – including Dallas County, Crockett's home base.

In Dallas County, a judge ordered polls to remain open until 9 PM, but the state Supreme Court ruled ballots not cast by the original 7 PM closing time should be separated from others. It is not clear how many ballots were affected by the decision.

The chaos came after Republicans in both counties instituted rule changes requiring people to vote at assigned precincts.

Both Talarico and Crockett expressed concerns over the reports that voters were being turned away from polling places, with the latter suggesting she could take legal action.

Despite the confusion, Democratic leaders have begun to congratulate Talarico on his primary election win.

"James Talarico is the future of the Democratic Party. He unites working people of all kinds to take on the billionaires who are making life unaffordable," said Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar, who on Tuesday easily won his primary to represent Texas' 37th district.

"He’s going to show Texas Republicans how powerful working people are when we stand together. On to victory in November," Casar added.

On the Republican side, incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are headed to a May 26 runoff. The winner of that contest will face Talarico in the general election on November 3.