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Poll: Democrats hold slight edge in Texas races

The statewide races are within the poll's reported margin of error.

News

Texas Democrats are for the first time polling slightly ahead of Republicans in several down-ballot statewide races, according to the final University of Texas/<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Politics Project poll" data-vars-click-url="https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/" data-vars-content-id="85936a7f-f254-48c6-90c4-dfcff31d8675" data-vars-headline="Poll: Democrats hold slight edge in Texas races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/" target="_blank">Texas Politics Project poll</a> ahead of the November election.Why it matters: Republicans in Texas have dominated statewide elections for more than three decades, but the latest poll suggests Democrats are competitive in races beyond the closely watched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Senate contest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/29/texas-senate-election-beto-cruz-talarico-paxton" data-vars-content-id="85936a7f-f254-48c6-90c4-dfcff31d8675" data-vars-headline="Poll: Democrats hold slight edge in Texas races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/09/29/texas-senate-election-beto-cruz-talarico-paxton" target="_self">U.S. Senate contest</a>.

Talarico raises $64 million in third quarter

The Democrat has raised more than $134 million since his campaign's launch last year.

James Talarico, the Democratic Texas state representative from Austin, hauled in $64 million in the third quarter in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his U.S. Senate bid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/14/texas-poll-talarico-paxton-senate" data-vars-content-id="e71f800b-110f-460b-92c3-c73b868e7ab3" data-vars-headline="Talarico raises $64 million in third quarter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/14/texas-poll-talarico-paxton-senate" target="_self">his U.S. Senate bid</a>, his campaign announced Thursday.

How a Gov. Hinojosa might reshape Texas

From appointing myriad boards and commissions to veto power, Hinojosa could assert broad authority.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gina Hinojosa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/09/26/gina-hinojosa-austin-democrat-campaign-texas-governor" data-vars-content-id="d842f5b5-3dd2-43f5-81b5-c433890abb82" data-vars-headline="How a Gov. Hinojosa might reshape Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/09/26/gina-hinojosa-austin-democrat-campaign-texas-governor" target="_self">Gina Hinojosa</a>, a Democratic state legislator from Austin, entered the race to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott as a heavy underdog. But with polls suggesting a surprisingly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tight contest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/06/latino-leaders-pressure-beshear-texas" data-vars-content-id="d842f5b5-3dd2-43f5-81b5-c433890abb82" data-vars-headline="How a Gov. Hinojosa might reshape Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/06/latino-leaders-pressure-beshear-texas" target="_self">tight contest</a>, we looked at how she could shape policy if elected.Why it matters: Republicans have expanded the governor&#x27;s powers, especially during Abbott&#x27;s tenure, and Hinojosa would inherit that broader authority upon taking office.

Take our Axios poll on the Texas midterms

Tell us how you're feeling as early voting begins in Texas.

Politics

<div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/a5fab524-a571-4285-8672-d13b8cea32db/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="a5fab524-a571-4285-8672-d13b8cea32db" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="a5fab524-a571-4285-8672-d13b8cea32db" data-vars-content-id="5b40060f-2de0-40c0-b817-0e5c1a45ca2f" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>The Texas midterms kick off Monday and we want to know how voters in the state are feeling.Why it matters: Competitive races in Texas are helping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="put the U.S. Senate in play" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/15/talarico-fundraising-record-third-quarter-election" data-vars-content-id="5b40060f-2de0-40c0-b817-0e5c1a45ca2f" data-vars-headline="Take our Axios poll on the Texas midterms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/15/talarico-fundraising-record-third-quarter-election" target="_self">put the U.S. Senate in play</a> and could mean <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a changing of the guard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/15/gina-hinojosa-texas-governor-abbott" data-vars-content-id="5b40060f-2de0-40c0-b817-0e5c1a45ca2f" data-vars-headline="Take our Axios poll on the Texas midterms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/15/gina-hinojosa-texas-governor-abbott" target="_self">a changing of the guard</a> at the governor&#x27;s mansion.

Austin's "Muny" golf course could soon be city-owned

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced an "excellent path forward" for the course.

A beloved West Austin golf course long linked to potential development plans could soon be purchased and preserved by the city of Austin.Why it matters: A multiyear effort to save Lions Municipal Golf Course, known affectionately as &quot;Muny,&quot; appears to be coming to fruition.

Austin expands "purple pipes" in Travis Heights

The utility estimates expanding reclaimed water use could save 10 million gallons of drinking water per day by 2040.

Austin is expanding its purple pipe network through Travis Heights, part of an effort to save drinking water for when Austin really needs it.Why it matters: After years of drought, Central Texas&#x27; reservoirs are finally full again, but continued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/03/13/austin-population-census-bureau-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="d4de2553-8a53-48a7-ad85-ece762de1dee" data-vars-headline="Austin expands &quot;purple pipes&quot; in Travis Heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/03/13/austin-population-census-bureau-pandemic" target="_self">population growth</a> and the prospect of future, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more severe droughts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/us-climate-change-adaptation-extreme-weather" data-vars-content-id="d4de2553-8a53-48a7-ad85-ece762de1dee" data-vars-headline="Austin expands &quot;purple pipes&quot; in Travis Heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/us-climate-change-adaptation-extreme-weather" target="_self">more severe droughts</a> are pushing Austin to find ways to make that water last longer.

Show about grief gets its Austin PBS premiere Tuesday

An Austin-based filmmaker turns her lens to a universal human experience.

A tragicomic docuseries about grief, co-created by Austin filmmaker Meghan Ross, premieres Tuesday on Austin PBS. Why it matters: The series, &quot;How We Grieve,&quot; is about how people process grief — and the anxieties we all share about our impending doom.

Austin artists to see during weekend two of ACL

Big names are on deck for weekend two, but the music festival is also a chance to see homegrown talent.

Big names like Lorde, Kings of Leon and Charli XCX are on deck for weekend two of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin City Limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/04/acl-fest-zilker-mud-austin" data-vars-content-id="08e3898f-aeec-4174-bf35-abf014ae5643" data-vars-headline="Austin artists to see during weekend two of ACL" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/04/acl-fest-zilker-mud-austin" target="_self">Austin City Limits</a>, but the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="music festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" data-vars-content-id="08e3898f-aeec-4174-bf35-abf014ae5643" data-vars-headline="Austin artists to see during weekend two of ACL" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" target="_blank">music festival</a> is also a chance to see homegrown talent.Here are the local artists we&#x27;re watching this weekend.

Two Austin restaurants earn new Michelin stars

Austin now has seven Michelin-starred restaurants, more than any other city in Texas.

Two more Austin restaurants — Fabrik in Tarrytown and downtown&#x27;s Kappo Kappo — have earned coveted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/11/12/michelin-guide-texas-austin-restaurant-winners" data-vars-content-id="798a1492-f0ec-48d5-a4c0-644f6d8e6ff4" data-vars-headline="Two Austin restaurants earn new Michelin stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/11/12/michelin-guide-texas-austin-restaurant-winners" target="_self">Michelin</a> stars, bringing the city&#x27;s total to seven in the latest Texas dining guide.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/texas/restaurants" data-vars-content-id="798a1492-f0ec-48d5-a4c0-644f6d8e6ff4" data-vars-headline="Two Austin restaurants earn new Michelin stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/texas/restaurants" target="_blank">Michelin Guide</a> endorsement brings restaurants international acclaim. Plus, the recognition can be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boon for business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/15/michelin-recognition-impact-colorado-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="798a1492-f0ec-48d5-a4c0-644f6d8e6ff4" data-vars-headline="Two Austin restaurants earn new Michelin stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/15/michelin-recognition-impact-colorado-restaurants" target="_self">boon for business</a>.

Desert Island Dish with Jess Pryles

Pryles new book, "Prime Cuts," is out on Oct. 6.

Austin-based cook, author and certified meat scientist Jess Pryles has built a career around live-fire cooking, so it&#x27;s no surprise her desert island meal starts with a steak over charcoal.Zoom in: Originally from Australia, Pryles now calls Austin home and regularly shares her meat experience at Texas A&amp;M&#x27;s famed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Camp Brisket" data-vars-click-url="https://meat.tamu.edu/texas-bbq/bbq-camps/camp-brisket/" data-vars-content-id="6698e898-34fa-4f26-8a78-c2f6e5f240e7" data-vars-headline="Desert Island Dish with Jess Pryles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://meat.tamu.edu/texas-bbq/bbq-camps/camp-brisket/" target="_blank">Camp Brisket</a>.

Texas town looks to strike data center bargain

Taylor could annex a planned data center campus and bind it to local rules.

The City Council in Taylor, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a bourgeoning tech hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/06/21/taylor-texas-chip-samsung" data-vars-content-id="825aa1f8-ce64-47d9-bfc7-3ad71829b6df" data-vars-headline="Texas town looks to strike data center bargain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/06/21/taylor-texas-chip-samsung" target="_self">a bourgeoning tech hub</a> northeast of Austin, could vote Thursday to annex a 664-acre planned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" data-vars-content-id="825aa1f8-ce64-47d9-bfc7-3ad71829b6df" data-vars-headline="Texas town looks to strike data center bargain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" target="_self">data center</a> campus east of town and bind it to city rules on water, noise, setbacks and lighting. Why it matters: City officials say the project could otherwise proceed in unincorporated Williamson County — and Texas counties <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have little regulatory authority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/14/texas-legislature-austin-dallas-houston-san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="825aa1f8-ce64-47d9-bfc7-3ad71829b6df" data-vars-headline="Texas town looks to strike data center bargain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/14/texas-legislature-austin-dallas-houston-san-antonio" target="_self">have little regulatory authority</a>.

News 🗞

Talarico raises $64 million in third quarter

How a Gov. Hinojosa might reshape Texas

Talarico faces voters, but not Paxton, in CNN town hall

Austin's "Muny" golf course could soon be city-owned

Poll: Democrats hold slight edge in Texas races