Polls show Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico within the margin of error in the U.S. Senate race as Texans head to the polls. Paxton is a three-term state attorney general, and Talarico is an Austin state legislator. Both spent the final weeks traveling across the state.
The Texas Tribune said it is watching several voting groups, including Sen. John Cornyn's supporters who have not yet decided, rural voters frustrated over data centers, Latino voters along the border and suburban voters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. South Texas is one key area. Republican Donald Trump carried Cameron, Hidalgo and Webb counties in 2024, and Sen. Ted Cruz narrowly lost all three. Both parties believe Republicans have set a higher baseline in the region since 2020.
Early voting in Hidalgo, Starr and Webb counties was higher than in 2024, according to the Tribune. Republican data analyst Derek Ryan said Hispanic voters made up 19% of the statewide early electorate, up from 16% in 2022 and 17% in 2024.