Newsweek
Politics
New Polling Shows Tight Races for Texas Senate and Governor
Recent survey data indicates competitive margins in upcoming Texas elections, potentially challenging long-standing Republican dominance.
Added 8/14/2026

A recent survey reveals a tied Senate contest between Republican candidate Ken Paxton and Democratic contender James Talarico, alongside a narrow gubernatorial race featuring Democrat Gina Hinojosa and incumbent Governor Greg Abbott. According to Newsweek, experts note that while demographic shifts and national political trends offer potential opportunities for Democrats, the state has not placed a Democrat in a statewide position since 1994.
Campaign representatives and political analysts remain skeptical about a definitive shift, pointing out the historical difficulty Democrats have faced in securing statewide victories in the region. Although some observers suggest the current political climate could favor Democratic candidates, past efforts to flip the state have ultimately fallen short.
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