Poll Reveals GOP Divisions in Texas Senate Race

A Fox News Poll of Texas registered voters indicates that the Senate race is competitive, with Republican candidate Ken Paxton struggling to unify the GOP despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The poll shows that more voters express concerns about Paxton's character than about Democratic challenger James Talarico's perceived extremism. Talarico leads Paxton by 3 points overall (51% to 48%), with a larger lead among highly motivated voters. Support for Talarico is strong among independents and Democrats, while Paxton has backing from specific demographics such as White evangelical Christians and rural voters. The poll also highlights that inflation is a key issue for voters, with many feeling they are falling behind financially. In the governor's race, incumbent Republican Greg Abbott holds a narrow lead over Democrat Gina Hinojosa. The survey, conducted from July 23-27, 2026, included 1,006 Texas registered voters and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.