Results
At G Ratings, we conducted a statewide survey to measure electoral preferences and the political climate in Texas ahead of the November 2026 general election.
The results show Greg Abbott leading the gubernatorial race, while Democrats hold narrower advantages in the contests for the U.S. Senate and Texas’ 15th Congressional District.
We surveyed 825 registered Texas voters between August 6 and August 11, 2026. Participants confirmed that they intended to vote in the upcoming election.
Greg Abbott leads the Texas governor’s race
When respondents were asked whom they would support if the 2026 gubernatorial election were held today, Greg Abbott received 51.2% of voter preference.
The results were:
- Greg Abbott, Republican: 51.2%
- Gina Hinojosa, Democratic: 43.4%
- Pat Dixon, Libertarian: 3.6%
- Undecided or another candidate: 1.8%
Abbott leads Hinojosa by 7.8 percentage points and is the only candidate in the three races measured who currently exceeds the 50% threshold.
Only 1.8% of respondents remain undecided or support another candidate. This suggests that most Texas voters surveyed have already selected a preference in the gubernatorial contest.
James Talarico holds a narrow advantage in the U.S. Senate race
At G Ratings, we also surveyed voter preferences in the 2026 general election for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
The results place Democrat James Talarico slightly ahead of Republican Ken Paxton:
- James Talarico, Democratic: 47.1%
- Ken Paxton, Republican: 44.2%
- Undecided or another candidate: 8.7%
Talarico leads Paxton by 2.9 percentage points, placing the two candidates in a highly competitive race.
The 8.7% of respondents who remain undecided or prefer another candidate represent nearly three times the current difference between Talarico and Paxton. Their eventual decision could determine the direction of the contest.
Bobby Pulido leads in Texas’ 15th Congressional District
The election for U.S. representative in Texas’ 15th Congressional District also shows a Democratic advantage.
At G Ratings, we present the following voter preferences:
- Bobby Pulido, Democratic: 49.5%
- Monica de la Cruz, Republican: 44.8%
- Undecided or another candidate: 5.7%
Pulido holds a 4.7-point lead over de la Cruz and is less than one percentage point away from reaching 50% support.
The undecided and other-candidate vote remains larger than the difference between the two leading candidates, leaving the contest open as the election approaches.
The economy is the most important issue facing Texas
When respondents were asked to identify the most important issue facing Texas, the economy ranked first with 40.9%.
The complete results were:
- Economy, including jobs, inflation, and taxes: 40.9%
- Immigration: 18.6%
- Healthcare: 10.1%
- Something else: 9.7%
- State of democracy: 7.3%
- Abortion access: 5.8%
- Foreign policy: 3.2%
- Education: 2.3%
- Crime: 2.1%
Economic concerns received more than twice the support registered for immigration, the second-highest issue.
The results indicate that jobs, inflation, and taxes are central to the decisions Texas voters may make in the 2026 elections. Immigration also remains a significant concern, selected by nearly one in five respondents.
Republicans represent the largest political group
At G Ratings, we asked participants to identify their political affiliation. Republicans represented the largest group in the sample.
The results were:
- Republican: 45.5%
- Democratic: 28.8%
- Independent or other: 25.7%
Republicans outnumber Democrats by 16.7 percentage points. Independent and other voters represent more than one-quarter of respondents, making them an important group in the statewide and congressional contests.
Demographic profile of respondents
The survey included Texas voters from different gender, age, and ethnic groups.
The gender distribution was:
- Female: 52.1%
- Male: 47.9%
The age distribution was:
- 18 to 29 years: 10.5%
- 30 to 39 years: 21.7%
- 40 to 49 years: 30.8%
- 50 to 59 years: 21.7%
- 60 to 69 years: 11.4%
- 70 years or older: 3.9%
The ethnic distribution was:
- White or Caucasian: 60.9%
- Hispanic or Latino of any race: 18.7%
- Black or African American: 10.5%
- Other or multiple races: 8.0%
- Asian: 1.9%
Survey methodology
At G Ratings, we conducted the fieldwork from August 6 through August 11, 2026, using self-administered digital questionnaires accessible on mobile devices and computers.
We surveyed 825 Texas residents aged 18 or older who confirmed that they were registered to vote and intended to participate in the upcoming election.
The study used a non-probability sampling design balanced by relevant demographic and geographic variables, including gender, age group, region, education level, and ethnicity.
The data collection process employed Odysseus, a technological platform developed by G Ratings by GobernArte S.C. The platform incorporates algorithmic models and Artificial intelligence tools to maintain a distribution consistent with reference population parameters.
Quality controls were implemented during fieldwork to validate response consistency and exclude incomplete or atypical questionnaires.
For a sample of 825 completed questionnaires, the theoretical margin of error is estimated between ±3.5% and ±5%, assuming a 95% confidence level and simple random sampling. Because the study used a non-probability design, this range should be interpreted as an approximate statistical reference rather than an exact estimate of total study error.
The estimated refusal rate was approximately 50%, based on eligible individuals who received an invitation but did not complete the survey.
G Ratings used Texas voter file data and turnout history to weight and compare the sample against statewide electorate demographics and historical voting patterns.
At G Ratings, we present these findings exclusively for informational and public opinion research purposes. The survey was commissioned, conducted, funded, and analyzed by G Ratings. It was not commissioned or funded by any potential candidate, candidate, political campaign, or political party.
