Aug. 26, 2026, 11:31 a.m. ET
Just over two months out from Election Day, a brand new Texas ballot discovered three notable outcomes: the candidates stay statistically tied within the U.S. Senate race, Republicans are pulling forward within the governor’s race, and Texans are united of their disdain for data centers.
A brand new University of Texas/Texas Politics Project ballot, printed Aug. 25, finds 42% of Texas voters preferring Democrat state Rep. James Talarico and 39% planning to vote for Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton within the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas.
Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott leads his Democratic challenger, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, 45% to 40%.
But the problem uniting Texans is their opposition to data centers: 57% stated they oppose constructing a data heart of their group, whereas 30% expressed assist.
Here’s a deep take a look at what the ballot says on every matter.
James Talarico is statistically tied with Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race, with a slight edge.
The ballot was carried out amongst 1,200 self-reported registered voters between Aug. 5 and 13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.83 proportion factors or 3.47% adjusted for weighting.
In a earlier Texas Politics Project ballot in June, Paxton led Talarico by a proportion level inside the ballot’s margin of error, 43% to 42%, with 84% of Republicans saying they’d assist Paxton if the election have been held then.
The August ballot reveals that Talarico leads inside the ballot’s margin at 42%, with Paxton at 39%, Libertarian Ted Brown at 3% and 14% expressing no desire.
Talarico is consolidating Democratic assist at 91%, whereas 79% of Republicans have expressed their dedication to Paxton. Among independents, 37% choose Talarico, 11% choose Paxton, and 43% categorical no desire.
GOP lead in governor’s race, different statewide contests
Previous polling confirmed motion towards Democrats, however the Texas Politics Project August ballot reveals the development has reversed.
Abbott leads Hinojosa, 45% to 40%, with the remaining 3% preferring Libertarian Pat Dixon, 2% selecting an unspecified “someone else,” and 10% unable to specific an opinion.
Hinojosa remains to be holding the race within the single digits, nearer than Democrat Beto O’Rourke’s last 11-point loss to Abbott in 2022.
In different statewide races:
- Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (42%) leads Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin (35%) by seven factors.
- Republican Attorney General state Sen. Mayes Middleton (40%) leads Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson (35%) by 5 factors.
- Republican Comptroller Don Huffines (40%) leads Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (34%) by six factors.
Texans proceed to oppose data centers of their communities
A majority of Texans, 57%, stated they oppose constructing a data heart of their group, whereas solely 30% expressed assist and 14% had no opinion, in keeping with the Texas Politics Project August ballot.
This is the second consecutive ballot from the Texas Politics Project to report the identical findings, as its June ballot confirmed 29% supported and 56% opposed native data heart development.
Breaking it down by political get together,
- Republicans stay intently divided: 45% assist, 43% oppose.
- Democrats strongly oppose: 75% oppose — with 59% saying they strongly oppose, 15% assist.
- Independents oppose: 54% oppose, 19% assist.
Among rural voters, 25% expressed assist, whereas 60% opposed — with 44% strongly opposing the development of data centers. Suburban Texans mirror the identical emotions.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a information tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.