Simply over two months out from Election Day, a brand new Texas ballot discovered three notable outcomes: the candidates stay statistically tied within the U.S. Senate race, Republicans are pulling forward within the governor’s race, and Texans are united of their disdain for knowledge facilities.
A brand new College of Texas/Texas Politics Undertaking ballot, revealed Aug. 25, finds 42% of Texas voters preferring Democrat state Rep. James Talarico and 39% planning to vote for Republican state Legal professional Normal Ken Paxton within the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas.
In the meantime, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott leads his Democratic challenger, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, 45% to 40%.
However the challenge uniting Texans is their opposition to knowledge facilities: 57% mentioned they oppose constructing an information middle of their group, whereas 30% expressed assist.
This is a deep have a look at what the ballot says on every matter.
Texas, U.S. Senate Ken Paxton (R) vs James Talarico (D) – incumbent Coryn misplaced in GOP major Ken Paxton, Texas’ state legal professional common, ousted incumbent Sen. John Cornyn within the Republican major after receiving Trump’s endorsement. He faces a stiff problem from state Rep. James Talarico in what will likely be one of the intently watched contests of 2026.
James Talarico is statistically tied with Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race, with a slight edge.
The ballot was performed amongst 1,200 self-reported registered voters between Aug. 5 and 13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.83 proportion factors or 3.47% adjusted for weighting.
In a earlier Texas Politics Undertaking ballot in June, Paxton led Talarico by a proportion level inside the ballot’s margin of error, 43% to 42%, with 84% of Republicans saying they’d assist Paxton if the election have been held then.
The August ballot reveals that Talarico leads inside the ballot’s margin at 42%, with Paxton at 39%, Libertarian Ted Brown at 3% and 14% expressing no desire.
Talarico is consolidating Democratic assist at 91%, whereas 79% of Republicans have expressed their dedication to Paxton. Amongst independents, 37% desire Talarico, 11% desire Paxton, and 43% categorical no desire.
GOP lead in governor’s race, different statewide contests
Gov. Greg Abbott, who’s searching for re-election to a fourth time period as Texas governor, addresses questions from native media after a closed-door roundtable dialogue with constituents about training on the Northeast El Paso house of Ines Vasquez on Aug. 19, 2026
Earlier polling confirmed motion towards Democrats, however the Texas Politics Undertaking August ballot reveals the development has reversed.
Abbott leads Hinojosa, 45% to 40%, with the remaining 3% preferring Libertarian Pat Dixon, 2% selecting an unspecified “another person,” and 10% unable to precise an opinion.
Hinojosa continues to be preserving the race within the single digits, nearer than Democrat Beto O’Rourke’s ultimate 11-point loss to Abbott in 2022.
In different statewide races:
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (42%) leads Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin (35%) by seven factors.
Republican Legal professional Normal state Sen. Mayes Middleton (40%) leads Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson (35%) by 5 factors.
Republican Comptroller Don Huffines (40%) leads Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (34%) by six factors.
Texans proceed to oppose knowledge facilities of their communities
In an aerial view, the Meta El Paso Knowledge Heart is seen on Aug. 13, 2026 in El Paso, Texas.
A majority of Texans, 57%, mentioned they oppose constructing an information middle of their group, whereas solely 30% expressed assist and 14% had no opinion, in accordance with the Texas Politics Undertaking August ballot.
That is the second consecutive ballot from the Texas Politics Undertaking to report the identical findings, as its June ballot confirmed 29% supported and 56% opposed native knowledge middle building.
Breaking it down by political celebration,
Republicans stay intently divided: 45% assist, 43% oppose.
Democrats strongly oppose: 75% oppose — with 59% saying they strongly oppose, 15% assist.
Independents oppose: 54% oppose, 19% assist.
Amongst rural voters, 25% expressed assist, whereas 60% opposed — with 44% strongly opposing the development of knowledge facilities. Suburban Texans mirror the identical emotions.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Join reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Bought a information tip for him? E mail him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: New Texas ballot reveals tight Senate race, GOP pulling forward for governor