A new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll shows several of Texas’ top statewide races are tight heading into the November election. But, unlike other recent polls, this one has Republicans leading in every race statewide except for one.
Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton 48% to 46% in the U.S. Senate race, with Libertarian Ted Brown at 3% and another 3% undecided. In the governor’s race, Republican Greg Abbott leads Democrat Gina Hinojosa 49% to 46%, with Libertarian Pat Dixon at 2% and 3% undecided.
The survey also found 59% of likely voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, while 55% say the same about Texas.
Republicans hold leads in several other statewide races, including lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner and agriculture commissioner, while the railroad commissioner contest is separated by just 2 points.
The Senate race shows some of the sharpest demographic splits, with Talarico leading among younger, Black and urban voters while Paxton leads among older, White and rural voters.
The poll surveyed 2,000 likely Texas voters from Oct. 10 through Oct. 14 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.19 percentage points.