Talarico Tops Crockett in Texas Dem Senate Primary as Paxton-Cornyn Runoff Emerges

Emerson College/Nexstar’s January 2026 Texas poll shows Democrat primary front-runner James Talarico at 47% to Jasmine Crockett’s 38% (15% undecided), with Talarico gaining among Hispanic and White voters while Crockett leads Black Democrats. In the GOP, Ken Paxton is at 27% and John Cornyn at 26%, with Wesley Hunt at 16% and 29% undecided, signaling a Paxton–Cornyn runoff. General-election tests find Cornyn leading Talarico 47%–44% (9% undecided); Paxton ties Talarico 46–46; Hunt leads Talarico 47–44; Crockett trails Cornyn 48–43 and Paxton 46–46, while Hunt also leads Crockett 48–43. In the governor race, Greg Abbott leads Gina Hinojosa 50%–42%. Trump’s approval stands at 48% with 46% disapproval; Abbott’s approval is 47% as well. Economy is voters’ top issue at 28%, followed by threats to democracy (17%), immigration (14%), healthcare (9%), and housing (8%). The survey was conducted Jan 10–12, 2026 with 1,165 voters (MOE ±2.8 overall; Dem primary ±4.8; GOP ±4.1).