The U.S. Senate battle between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton remains in a dead heat.
A new survey from Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media found Paxton polling at 47% compared to 46% for Talarico, with 5% still undecided and 2% supporting another candidate. The poll is a small victory for Paxton, who has been trailing in most polls over the past few weeks.
As has been the case throughout the campaign, age continues to be a factor when weighing each candidate's backing.
“The race for U.S. Senate in Texas is sharply divided by age: voters under 50 favor Talarico by 15 points, 53% to 38%, while those over 50 break for Paxton by 11 points, 53% to 42%,” Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a news
release.
Talarico continues to have a 19-point advantage over Paxton with Hispanic voters.
When it comes to favorability, Talarico narrowly bests Paxton, coming in at a 44% favorability rating versus a 41% favorability rating. Meanwhile, 43% of respondents have a favorable view of Paxton versus 44% with an unfavorable view.
Respondents listed the economy as the biggest issue in the upcoming election (30%), followed by immigration (19%), threats to democracy (14%), and healthcare (13%). However, those issues break down by party, with Republican voters listing immigration as the top issue (32%), while Democrats and Independents list the economy as the number one issue, 33% and 31%, respectively.
The survey also found that data center development could become a factor in the upcoming election, with 60% of respondents opposed to data centers in their communities.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas US Senate race tightens as Talarico, Paxton vie for key voters
