Democrats gain momentum in pivotal US Senate and governor’s races in Texas

What the report says

Democrats are showing stronger-than-expected results in two major Texas races, according to recent polling reported by Al Jazeera. In the U.S. Senate contest, Democratic nominee James Talarico is now ahead of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in multiple surveys, marking a notable change in a state that has long voted Republican at the statewide level. The latest Texas Pulse survey, released Friday, gave Talarico a four-point lead, while another poll published Thursday also showed him narrowly ahead.

The article said Talarico’s support appears to be coming in part from independents and undecided voters, and from a campaign focused on affordability and cost of living. That emphasis may matter in Texas, where economic concerns can influence turnout and ticket-splitting. Paxton, who has the backing of former President Donald Trump, remains a well-known figure but faces continued scrutiny from critics over past legal and ethical controversies described in the report.

The governor’s race is also becoming more competitive. Al Jazeera reported that Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa has closed the gap with Republican Governor Greg Abbott, with one poll showing Abbott ahead by only one point. Another survey gave Abbott a slightly larger but still narrow lead. With both contests tightening and a large share of voters still undecided, the results suggest Texas could be more competitive than usual in the November midterm elections.