The August 2026 University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll finds 42% of Texas voters preferring Democrat James Talarico and 39% planning to vote for Republican Ken Paxton in the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott led Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa 45%-40%, as Texans continue to voice reservations about data centers and express intense concern about prices.
Respondents were asked, "If the 2026 election for Lieutenant Governor were held today, and the candidates were Dan Patrick and Vikki Goodwin, who would you vote for, or haven’t you thought enough about it to have an opinion?"
Respondents were asked, "Please tell us whether you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, neither favorable nor unfavorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion of each of the following: Dan Patrick."
The latest University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll finds a very tight race in the election for the U.S. Senate, Texas voters largely opposed to building data centers in their communities, and continuing concern about prices and the economy.
Respondents were asked, "If the 2026 election for Lieutenant Governor were held today, and the candidates were Dan Patrick and Vikki Goodwin, who would you vote for, or haven’t you thought enough about it to have an opinion?"
Respondents were asked, "Please tell us whether you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, neither favorable nor unfavorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion of each of the following: Dan Patrick."
As the Republican Party of Texas gathers in Houston for its state convention, browse a compilation of Republican attitudes from the Texas Politics Project polling archive.
While it's really not so sudden, James Henson and Joshua Blank sort through the policy and political dimensions of Gov. Abbott's signaling and the short and long term implications of the Governor's attempt to lead on the issue
