Story perspectives

Texas polls show Paxton-Talarico, Abbott-Hinojosa races tied

8/27/2026

Center

Talarico-Paxton Tight

Texas polls show the Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton and governor’s race between Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa are close.
Center analysis notes each candidate’s lead lies inside the polls’ margins of error, meaning the contests remain competitive.
University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll (1,200, Aug 5-13) gave Talarico 42% and Paxton 39% (±2.83%).
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a event for Paxton on Sept. 9-10, MAGA Inc. money.

Right

Paxton curbs AI

Texas polls show Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton and governor race between Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa are tight.
Paxton unveiled plan to curb the AI-driven data-center boom, saying it protects families and culture.
The plan bans Chinese tech in data centers and criminalizes AI tools endangering children.
Paxton also seeks to repeal data-center sales-tax exemptions.
Talarico received $10 million from Reid Hoffman and leads by 1.2 points.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 midterms on November 8 produced the Republican Revolution, a 54-seat House swing that gave Republicans a 230-215 majority for the first time since 1952 and launched the Contract with America. In Texas, Republicans netted only two House seats, but the coordinated fundraising and messaging proved decisive. Today, Ken Paxton, Governor Greg Abbott and donor Reid Hoffman use the same strategy as polls show races within two points.

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Talarico-Paxton Tight

Texas polls show the Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton and governor’s race between Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa are close.
Center analysis notes each candidate’s lead lies inside the polls’ margins of error, meaning the contests remain competitive.
University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll (1,200, Aug 5-13) gave Talarico 42% and Paxton 39% (±2.83%).
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a event for Paxton on Sept. 9-10, MAGA Inc. money.

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