Multiple public polls now show Gov. Greg Abbott within a statistical tie with Democrat Gina Hinojosa. The Houston Chronicle reported that no poll in any of Abbott's previous campaigns had shown the race this close so near Election Day.
A New York Times and Siena poll of 615 voters, taken Sept. 21 to 30, showed Hinojosa leading by 3 percentage points. That result falls within the poll's 4.5% margin of error. A Marist Poll of 1,139 registered voters also showed Hinojosa up 3 points, within its 4.4% margin of error. Abbott led in seven of the nine major public polls released since Sept. 1.
Abbott told reporters in Houston that he has internal data and feels very confident. His campaign said it remains confident he will win a record fourth term. Abbott has spent about $81 million on TV and digital ads since early September, while Hinojosa has spent $11 million, according to the report. No Democrat has come within 10 percentage points of winning the governor's office since 1994.