Updated at 11:50 p.m. to include results from Central Texas races where Democrats also flipped Republican districts; on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 12:03 a.m. to reflect Ron Simmons' loss; at 12:10 a.m. to reflect James Talarico's victory in Round Rock; and at 9:57 a.m. to reflect a 12th House district flipped by Democrats; and at 6:01 p.m. to reflect Cattanach's comments about her tight race.

AUSTIN — The blue wave made its strongest landfall in Dallas County this November, as Democrats flipped five Texas House seats in the county on their way to winning at least 12 formerly Republican-held seats.

The wins dealt a blow to the GOP largely due to demographic changes in the area, discontent with President Donald Trump and strong turnout for U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke.

Rep. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, said the voters of Texas sent a clear message to the state's lawmakers. He was the chairman of the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee, which poured $1.1 million into 24 seats in this election cycle.

"Voters in Texas are tired of the red meat politics and the divisive politics. They're tired of things like the bathroom bill and the SB 4 'show me your papers bill,' " Blanco said. "They want real property tax reform by a Legislature that's going to invest in public education. They want a Legislature that's going to focus on making sure the Texas economy is strong and improves health care. Those are the issues we ran on.

"It sends a message to Republicans that the time for divisive politics is over and we need to get back to work for the people of Texas."

Democrats targeted a number of Dallas County districts — especially in the traditionally conservative suburbs — and in Central Texas to flip the 11 House seats, the most gains the party has made in an election since 1989, according to the Democratic Campaign Committee.

Democrat Julie Johnson unseated Republican incumbent Matt Rinaldi in House District 115, which includes northwestern suburbs Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Farmers Branch and Irving.

The race was one of the most closely watched contests, and the outspoken candidates took shots at each other in public comments and on social media.

In House District 114, staunch conservative Lisa Luby Ryan lost to Democrat John Turner. Ryan had ousted Republican Rep. Jason Villalba, a Trump critic, in the primary.

Voters in the district, which includes North Dallas, Preston Hollow and Lake Highlands, chose Hillary Clinton over Trump by a margin of 9 points in 2016.

"I look forward to going to work and doing my best to represent the people of North Dallas in Austin," Turner said in a statement after the election. "Together we can make progress in better supporting our schools, improving our health care system, working constructively with our local governments, and renewing our commitment to decency in politics."

Democrats also won in three other districts previously held by the GOP, including House District 102, where Ana-Maria Ramos beat Republican incumbent Linda Koop.

Democrat Terry Meza unseated Republican incumbent Rodney Anderson in House District 105, a heated rematch of a 2016 election that was decided by 64 votes.

"The joke in my campaign is that I just gotta go find 65 more people," she said before the election.

And she did, winning by more than 4,000 votes.

Democrat Rhetta Bowers defeated Republican Jonathan Boos in an eastern Dallas County district held by Rep. Cindy Burkett, who lost a Texas Senate primary.

In an upset, Democratic challenger Michelle Beckley defeated incumbent Republican Ron Simmons, the author of the House version of the bathroom bill during last year's legislative session. The district, covering Carrollton and Lewisville, is traditionally a conservative stronghold.

One other Republican incumbent was in a nail-biter late Tuesday. Morgan Meyer had a small lead over Democratic challenger Joanna Cattanach in House District 108, which includes wealthy areas in the Park Cities and Uptown as well as parts of downtown and Old East Dallas. At one point in the night, Meyer led the race by only one vote with 10 precincts left to report.

Late Wednesday night, Cattanach's campaign sent an email to supporters saying she had not given up on the race yet.

"Every vote matters and we are determined to make sure the correct outcome of this race includes all ballots including provisional and mail-in ballots," the email read. "As such, our campaign will work with the County elections department until ALL ballots are counted."

And in House District 107, Democratic incumbent Victoria Neave kept her seat, defeating Republican challenger Deanna Metzger in the swing district that includes parts of East Dallas, Garland and Mesquite.

Neave, a 37-year-old attorney, established herself as a women's issues advocate in the image of a Democratic star, former state Sen. Wendy Davis. Neave was widely considered a vulnerable candidate after an embarrassing DUI last year when she drove her BMW into a tree.

Metzger was a political newcomer and a member of the GOP who has enjoyed a boost to her campaign from conservative kingmakers like the Empower Texans PAC and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. She ran on a platform of opposing abortion and defending the border and gun rights, as well as providing property tax relief.

Across the state

Elsewhere in the state, Houston Republican incumbent Sarah Davis, who has been criticized by members of her own party for supporting women’s reproductive rights and was opposed in her primary election by Gov. Greg Abbott, looked likely to hold her seat despite a challenge from Democrat Allison Sawyer.

Also in Harris County, Democrat Gina Calanni eked out a narrow win against Republican incumbent Mike Schofield. The candidates were separated by 129 votes with all precincts reporting.

In Central Texas, Democrat Vikki Goodwin easily defeated Republican incumbent Paul Workman in an Austin district. Democrat John Bucy III appeared headed for victory over Cedar Park Republican Tony Dale.

Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Cynthia Flores in a tight race that was decided by just over 2,300 votes for a Round Rock seat vacated by Republican Larry Gonzales.

In a Dripping Springs race to replace Jason Isaac, who made a primary run for a congressional seat in the area, Democrat Erin Zwiener beat Republican Ken Strange.

Important issues for the next legislative session

The newly elected state representatives will help tackle some of the biggest issues for the state in the legislative session that begins Jan. 8. Here's a preview:

Property taxes

Public education

Border funding