2026 Texas voter guide: Key races to watch
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Texans have a chance to weigh in on rare competitive statewide races as early voting begins Monday ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.
The big picture: Texas Democrats are hoping to capitalize on opposition to President Trump and Republicans are defending their longtime dominance.
- The U.S. Senate race pitting Democratic state Rep. James Talarico against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton could determine whether the chamber stays in GOP hands or tips to Democrats, with big implications for the last two years of President Trump's term.
- Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott is locked in an unexpectedly tight race against state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, despite his massive fundraising advantage.
Between the lines: The state of alarm for Texas Republicans extends to other statewide offices.
- A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll released last week showed Vikki Goodwin narrowly leading Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
- Democrat Nathan Johnson leads Republican Mayes Middleton, from Galveston, in the attorney general's race.
- All statewide races surveyed in the poll are within the margin of error.
Reality check: Polls aren't election results, and no Democrat has won statewide in Texas since 1994.
Other statewide races to watch: Republican incumbent Don Huffines faces Austin-area Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt for comptroller, an office that oversees state finances and tax collection.
- Republican Bo French faces Houston-area Democrat Jon Rosenthal for a seat on the Railroad Commission, which regulates Texas' oil and gas industry, not railroads. French has drawn controversy over comments about diversity.
The intrigue: The elections will test a brazen plan by Texas Republicans to redraw five Democratic U.S. House districts to their advantage.
- Democrats need to flip 14 seats to take the Texas House majority and a gain of four seats to win the state Senate — both tall orders.
Zoom in: You may vote at any polling location in the county in which you're registered.
- Find polling places in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties.
Other key dates: In-person early voting ends Oct. 30.
- Oct. 23 is the last day to apply to vote by mail. Eligible voters include those 65 or older on Election Day and those who are sick or disabled.
The bottom line: You've waited a long time to vote. Now's your chance.
Go deeper: Houston's voter guide