Texas voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, for the 2026 midterm elections, with major races that could reshape the state’s political landscape and influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are competing for a Senate seat, while Gov. Greg Abbott faces Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa in the gubernatorial race. Both contests have drawn national attention as voters decide the future of Texas politics.
All 38 Texas seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are also being contested, alongside statewide offices and legislative races. The results will help determine whether Republicans maintain their statewide advantage or Democrats make gains in a state that has become a major focus of the national midterm elections.
Who is leading in the Texas midterm elections 2026?
The Texas Senate race between Paxton and Talarico remains competitive, according to the final polls published ahead of Election Day. Decision Desk HQ’s polling tracker recorded different results among pollsters: an Emerson College/Poll Vault survey gave Talarico a 1.4-percentage-point lead, while a Trafalgar Group poll showed Paxton ahead by 0.6 points. A New York Times/Siena Research Institute survey put Talarico’s advantage at seven points.
The governor’s race has also produced conflicting polling results. Decision Desk HQ listed a Research Co. poll, conducted October 31 through November 2, with Abbott leading by two percentage points. An AtlasIntel survey conducted October 28 through November 1 gave Hinojosa a 1.6-point advantage.
These figures are pre-election measurements, not official results. Polling margins, sample sizes and survey methodologies differ, so the final outcome will depend on the votes counted by election officials.
Texas Midterm Election Results 2026: Senate and Governor Candidates
The two statewide contests receiving the most attention are the U.S. Senate race and the gubernatorial election. Republican and Democratic candidates are competing for offices that will shape Texas’ representation in Washington and its state government.
The following table identifies the principal candidates and their parties. The results remain pending until election officials report and count the ballots.
| Race | Candidate | Party | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate | Ken Paxton | Republican (R) | Pending |
| U.S. Senate | James Talarico | Democratic (D) | Pending |
| U.S. Senate | Ted Brown | Libertarian (L) | Pending |
| Governor | Greg Abbott | Republican (R) | Pending |
| Governor | Gina Hinojosa | Democratic (D) | Pending |
| Governor | Pat Dixon | Libertarian (L) | Pending |
Who is leading in the Texas Senate race?
The contest between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is among the most closely watched races in the 2026 midterm elections. Paxton, Texas’ attorney general, secured the Republican nomination after defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary runoff. Talarico, a Democratic state representative, is seeking to win a Senate seat for his party in a state that has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 1988.
The final polling picture shows different measurements depending on the survey:
- Emerson College/Poll Vault: Talarico led Paxton by 1.4 percentage points in a poll conducted October 31–November 1.
- The New York Times/Siena Research Institute: Talarico held a seven-point advantage in a survey conducted October 27–November 1.
- Trafalgar Group: Paxton led by 0.6 percentage points in a poll conducted October 31–November 1.
The differences among pollsters illustrate the uncertainty surrounding the election. The surveys are not official vote counts, and their findings should be considered alongside their respective sample sizes, margins of error and methodologies.
Can Greg Abbott hold on to the Texas governor’s office?
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking another term against Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa. The contest has attracted national attention because the incumbent is facing a Democratic opponent in a race that several pre-election polls have measured within a narrow margin.
Abbott is seeking a fourth term as governor. Texas has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994, with the party’s last governor, Ann Richards, leaving office in January 1995. Hinojosa is attempting to change that political pattern in the November 3 election.
The latest surveys tracked by Decision Desk HQ showed contrasting results:
- Research Co.: Abbott led Hinojosa by two percentage points in a poll conducted October 31–November 2.
- AtlasIntel: Hinojosa held a 1.6-point advantage in a survey conducted October 28–November 1.
- Kreate Strategies: Abbott recorded a two-point lead in a poll conducted October 27–30.
The polling differences make the governor’s race another important contest to follow during Election Night. Official results will determine whether Abbott secures another term or Hinojosa wins the state’s highest executive office.
Which congressional races matter in Texas?
All 38 Texas seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are being contested in the 2026 midterm elections. The results will contribute to the national battle for control of Congress, with each district electing one representative for a two-year term.
Republican state lawmakers redrew Texas’ congressional map in 2025, changing several district boundaries ahead of the election. The new map has affected the political landscape in multiple districts and contributed to changes in the candidates competing for House seats.
Among the congressional races attracting attention are:
- Texas 20th Congressional District: Republican Edgardo Rafael Baez faces Democratic incumbent Joaquin Castro.
- Texas 21st Congressional District: Republican Mark Teixeira competes against Democrat Kristin Hook.
- Texas 23rd Congressional District: Republican candidates Tony Gonzales and Brandon Herrera, Democrat Katy Padilla Stout and independent Ben Mendoza appear on the ballot.
- Texas 35th Congressional District: Republican Carlos De La Cruz faces Democrat Johnny C. Garcia.
These are district-specific contests. Only registered voters who live within the corresponding congressional district can vote in each race. The overall Texas delegation will be determined by the results across all 38 districts.
When do polls close in Texas?
Polling places across Texas are scheduled to open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday, November 3. The Texas Secretary of State confirmed the statewide voting schedule ahead of Election Day.
Texas observes two time zones. Most of the state follows Central Time (CT), while El Paso and Hudspeth counties observe Mountain Time (MT). Voters should check their assigned polling location and local closing time before heading to the polls.
The first election results are expected after voting ends and county officials begin reporting their totals. The Texas Tribune’s live results tracker uses Associated Press data gathered from the Secretary of State, county election offices and reporters in the field. Its results are updated as votes are reported and winners are projected.
For official election information, voters can consult the Texas Secretary of State’s website at https://www.votetexas.gov/.
Frequently asked questions about the Texas midterm elections 2026
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Texas in 2026?
Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are the principal candidates in the Texas U.S. Senate race. Libertarian Ted Brown is also on the general election ballot.
Who is running for governor of Texas?
Republican incumbent Greg Abbott is facing Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa. Libertarian Pat Dixon is also running for governor.
Who is leading the Texas Senate polls?
The final polls show a competitive contest between Paxton and Talarico. Emerson College and Siena Research Institute surveys gave Talarico an advantage, while a Trafalgar Group poll showed Paxton narrowly ahead. These are polling measurements, not official election results.
How many congressional seats does Texas have?
Texas has 38 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. All 38 are contested in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
What time do polls close in Texas?
Polls close at 7 p.m. local time on November 3. Most of Texas follows Central Time, while El Paso and Hudspeth counties observe Mountain Time.
Where can I check Texas midterm election results live?
The Texas Tribune provides a live results tracker using Associated Press data. Voters can also consult official election information through the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
- Texas Tribune: https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-live-results-2026/
- Texas Secretary of State: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/2026-november-general-election.shtml
