New Texas Poll: Every Statewide Race Is Tight, With Talarico Leading Paxton and Abbott and Hinojosa in a Statistical Tie
A Texas Public Opinion Research poll of 969 likely voters found every statewide contest - from U.S. Senate to railroad commissioner - within a few points, with affordability the top issue on voters' minds.
Texas' Senate race is not the only close contest on the ballot. A new Texas Public Opinion Research poll, released October 23 and reported by USA TODAY, found every statewide race in Texas within a few points as early voting runs through Friday, October 30, ahead of the November 3 election.
At the top of the ticket, Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton 51 percent to 47 percent in the U.S. Senate race, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, at 51 percent, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa, at 48 percent, are in a statistical tie in the governor's race. The poll surveyed 969 likely Texas voters from October 15 to 18 and carries a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points.
The down-ballot races are just as close. For lieutenant governor, Republican Dan Patrick leads Democrat Vikki Goodwin 50 to 47; for attorney general, Republican Mayes Middleton leads Democrat Nathan Johnson 50 to 48; for comptroller, Republican Don Huffines leads Democrat Sarah Eckhardt 50 to 48; for agriculture commissioner, Republican Nate Sheets leads Democrat Clayton Tucker 50 to 48; for land commissioner, Republican Dawn Buckingham leads Democrat Benjamin Flores 49 to 48; and for railroad commissioner, Republican Bo French leads Democrat Jon Rosenthal 50 to 48. On the generic ballots for the U.S. House and the Texas House, Republicans lead Democrats 51 to 49 in both.
What voters say they care about most is the cost of living. Affordability was the first choice of 28 percent of voters when asked which two issues officials should prioritize - down from 32 percent last month - followed by economic growth and job creation at 13 percent, with Social Security and Medicare and immigration tied for third at 8 percent each.
