Texas was expected to be a Republican stronghold. A new poll shows Democrats James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa gaining ground in two major 2026 races

Polls indicate Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton by six points in the U.S. Senate race. Meanwhile, Democrat Gina Hinojosa has a narrow lead over Governor Greg Abbott, with a three-point margin. Talarico's support is strong among women and younger voters, while Hinojosa performs well with similar demographic groups. Additionally, many voters oppose the rapid expansion of data centers in Texas.