Lieutenant Governor of Texas

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 voters head to the polls Nov. 3, 2026 for a general election featuring statewide races for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner, plus seats on the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. Congressional, state legislative, judicial and local races will also appear depending on a voter's location. Key deadlines include an Oct. 5 voter registration cutoff and an Oct. 23 deadline to apply for a mail ballot. In-person voters need an acceptable photo ID, though those without one may sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide alternate documentation.

Elsewhere, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, election officials are holding public demonstrations of voting equipment, mail-ballot sorting and drop-box security as part of a "Know Before You Vote" campaign ahead of the same Nov. 3 election, which also includes governor and U.S. Senate races along with local levies and charter amendments. Officials are urging voters nationwide to review sample ballots in advance. Early voting in Harris County runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, with Election Day polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters should check VoteTexas.gov or local county election sites for details.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted an AI-generated campaign ad featuring imagery and traditions from the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech, prompting questions over whether he had permission to use their trademarked names and symbols. The 50-second ad, shared to X on September 5, depicts Democratic candidates Vikki Goodwin, Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico in mocking scenarios set at simulated football games featuring each school's mascots and traditions. UT, Texas A&M and Texas Tech all restrict use of their trademarks in political advertising, and state law bars universities from using resources to support candidates. Officials from the three schools have not confirmed whether they authorized the ad's use of their branding, though a state lawmaker has asked the presidents to clarify. Patrick's campaign has not said whether it sought permission or disclosed the ad as AI-generated.

The episode highlights gaps in Texas's deepfake election law, which only applies within 30 days of an election and requires proving intent to deceive — a threshold experts say is difficult to meet and easily circumvented by early ad releases.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted an apparent AI-generated campaign ad featuring imagery and traditions from the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech to mock his Democratic opponents ahead of November's election. The 50-second ad, shared to X on Sept. 5, depicts Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin proposing new taxes at a simulated UT game, portrays Gina Hinojosa questioning Texas Tech fans' gun rights gestures, and shows U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico criticizing Texas A&M's "12th Man" tradition as "gendered." The ad had drawn over 907,000 views as of Friday.

All three universities restrict outside use of their trademarks, particularly in political contexts, and none confirmed to reporters whether Patrick had permission or whether the ad violated state rules barring public universities from supporting candidates. State Rep. Terry Canales has asked the schools to seek the ad's removal if unauthorized; only Texas A&M has responded so far. Patrick's campaign has not said whether it sought approval. Texas's existing deepfake law, which requires proving intent to deceive, only applies within 30 days of an election, leaving this ad unregulated. Goodwin has accused Patrick of using AI to misrepresent her.

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.