Nathan M. Johnson

Texas's 2026 midterms produced a reported Democratic sweep of statewide races. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, who had Donald Trump's endorsement, becoming Texas's first Latina governor and first Democratic governor in more than 30 years; Abbott conceded on election night. Hinojosa carried urban, suburban and border counties statewide, including a 14-point win in previously Republican-leaning Tarrant County. In the Senate race, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had survived impeachment and a primary against Sen. John Cornyn. Vikki Goodwin reportedly unseated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Nathan Johnson defeated Mayes Middleton for attorney general. Redrawn South Texas House districts and a railroad commission race involving Bo French also drew attention amid shifting Hispanic voter patterns.

Hinojosa campaigned heavily against border enforcement cooperation with ICE, though much of that policy, including SB 4's sanctuary-city ban and SB 8's sheriff deputization requirements, is set by the Republican-controlled Legislature rather than the governor alone. She retains authority over Operation Lone Star and Texas National Guard deployments but has not pledged to end border security funding. Trump publicly blamed Abbott's loss on him becoming a "RINO."

Texas voters choose a new attorney general on Nov. 3, the first open race for the office in more than a decade as Ken Paxton departs to run for U.S. Senate. Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton, Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson and Libertarian Tom Oxford are competing for the post, which oversees state lawsuits, consumer protection enforcement, child support collection and legal opinions on Texas law.

Middleton favors expanding the office's prosecutorial authority and aggressive immigration enforcement, while Johnson emphasizes working with local prosecutors, consumer protection and checking unlawful federal actions. A recent University of Houston poll showed Middleton ahead, though analysts note the outcome may hinge on turnout. The winner will serve a four-year term shaping Texas's role in major legal and policy disputes.

Texas's 2026 elections feature unexpectedly competitive statewide races, a rarity in a state no Democrat has won statewide since 1994. The marquee contest pits state Rep. James Talarico against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, with control of the chamber and the final two years of President Trump's term potentially at stake. Gov. Greg Abbott faces a tighter-than-expected challenge from state Rep. Gina Hinojosa despite a large fundraising edge. A recent University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll showed Democrat Vikki Goodwin narrowly ahead of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Nathan Johnson slightly leading Mayes Middleton for attorney general, with all surveyed races within the margin of error. Republicans' new congressional redistricting plan will also be tested.

Texas Democrats are testing whether anti-Trump sentiment can break the GOP's decades-long statewide winning streak, with no Democrat having won statewide office since 1994. The marquee race pits Democratic state Rep. James Talarico against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat that could affect the chamber's balance. Gov. Greg Abbott faces an unexpectedly close challenge from state Rep. Gina Hinojosa despite a large fundraising edge. A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll found several other statewide races within the margin of error, including lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and a Railroad Commission seat. The elections will also test a Republican plan to redraw five Democratic U.S. House districts.

A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll of 1,200 registered Texas voters, conducted Sept. 25-Oct. 5, shows several statewide races within the margin of error ahead of Election Day. Democrat James Talarico led Republican Ken Paxton 50%-47% in the U.S. Senate race. In the governor's race, Democrat Gina Hinojosa led Republican Gov. Greg Abbott 49%-48%. Democrat Vikki Goodwin led Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick 49%-46%, and Democrats also held narrow leads in the attorney general and railroad commissioner races, while Republican Don Huffines narrowly led in the comptroller contest.

Inflation and the economy remained voters' top concerns, cited by 21% as Texas's biggest problem, ahead of political corruption/leadership (15%) and the economy generally (10%). President Trump's favorability in Texas stood at 42% favorable versus 50% unfavorable. Abbott's job approval was 44% approve/45% disapprove; Paxton stood at 35%/46%; Patrick at 33%/39%. All results carry margins of error of roughly 2.8-3.3 percentage points.

Texas heads into its Nov. 3, 2026 election with several races drawing unusually close national attention. Democratic state Rep. James Talarico is running competitively against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, a race polling shows within margin of error — the closest Texas Senate contest since Democrats last held the seat in 1993. Gov. Greg Abbott, seeking a fourth term, holds a smaller-than-usual lead over Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who would be the state's first Democratic governor in over 30 years and first Latina governor if elected. Down-ballot races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and other statewide posts are also tighter than in recent cycles.

The election marks the first test of Texas's new congressional map, redrawn last year at President Trump's urging to net Republicans five additional U.S. House seats after Supreme Court approval. Ten open House seats add further uncertainty. Affordability, property taxes, and growing bipartisan backlash against data centers are emerging as major voter concerns statewide.