The latest poll ahead of the early voting deadline reveals a fiercely contested Senate race in Texas. Conducted by the TSU Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center, the survey indicates that the race remains tight, with Democratic candidate James Talarico currently holding a slight lead over Republican incumbent Ken Paxton.
Vice President J.D. Vance made a return to Texas to rally support for Paxton, emphasizing the need for increased Republican turnout in the coming days. “Republicans are really going to be banking on higher turnout than we’ve seen thus far during early voting,” said Mark Jones, a lead researcher for the poll.
The campaign between Talarico and Paxton has escalated, drawing significant attention from national figures. At a rally in Weatherford, Vance criticized Talarico, suggesting that he was chosen by Democratic donors for his perceived electability. Vance’s remarks included pointed references to Talarico’s past statements, questioning the credibility of his candidacy.
In response, Talarico’s campaign has released a new advertisement featuring former Republican officials who refuse to support Paxton, highlighting a 7-point favorability gap between the candidates. Despite the unfavorable rating of 51% for Talarico, the race remains competitive.
Governor’s Race: Abbott vs. Hinojosa
In the gubernatorial race, campaign advertisements have taken a creative turn, with Gina Hinojosa employing a retro video game theme to critique Governor Greg Abbott’s earlier support for specific policies. Meanwhile, Railroad Commission candidate Bo French has created an animated ad depicting himself as a Lego character to engage younger voters and poke fun at Democratic opponents.
The final days of early voting will be crucial, particularly for Democrats, who experienced a surge at the beginning of the early voting period. Steven Dial from FOX 4 noted that the outcome will hinge on whether this gap has widened or narrowed as the election approaches.
In the race for comptroller, former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt trails Republican Don Huffines by six points. While 67% of respondents are familiar with Huffines, only 38% know Eckhardt, who has struggled to effectively communicate her message beyond social media due to limited funding.
