A new poll in the U.S. Senate race in Texas is spelling more good news for Democratic candidate James Talarico.
On the heels of polling from Texas Public Opinion Research
showing Talarico ahead of Republican candidate Ken Paxton, a new poll from Fox News shows Talarico in the lead by three points, 51% to 48%. The poll was conducted between July 23 and July 27 among 1,006 registered Texas voters, with a sample size of 556 Hispanic voters.Talarico and Paxton are set to go head-to-head in the November 3 General Election.
Most independent voters, 68%, and nearly all Democrats, 98%, are backing Talarico, while Republican support for Paxton is at 89% due in part to the fact that 24% of non-MAGA Republicans are siding with Talarico.
Paxton fares well
among White evangelical Christians, White men without a college degree, rural voters, regular worship attenders, men and voters 65 or over. Top demographics for Talarico include Black and Hispanic voters, moderates, voters under the age of 30, women and voters with a college degree.
The poll found that more voters are concerned about Paxton's character than they are that Talarico is too extreme, 59% to 47%, and twice as many Republicans, 36% to 17%, are more concerned with Paxton's character over Talarico's potential extremism.
Talarico is winning in favorability, as well, with 49% ranking him as favorable compared to 43% unfavorable. Paxton, on the other hand, is viewed mostly unfavorably with 45 percent of respondents viewing him favorably versus 51% unfavorable.
Nearly four in 10 respondents said inflation will be the biggest issue in the November General Election, with two in 10 saying immigration and one in 10 citing healthcare, political divisions and unemployment.
Hinojosa closing in on Abbott
The Fox News poll likewise found incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott with only a one-percentage point lead over Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa in the Texas governor's race, due in part to the fact that 12% of Talarico voters are leaning toward Abbott, though Hinojosa is faring better among extremely interested and extremely motivated voters.
Abbott is up by one point when it comes to favorability, with 50% of respondents viewing him favorably and 49% unfavorably, while Hinojosa is up by 11 points in favorability, 45% favorable and 34% unfavorable.
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: James Talarico leads Ken Paxton in Fox News Texas Senate poll
