Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently dismissed Republican concerns about the upcoming November midterm elections, despite polls suggesting tight races in the state. Speaking on Friday at the Texas governor’s mansion in Austin, Governor Abbott emphasized his belief that voters will ultimately choose Republican candidates over Democrats.
A Texas Pulse poll conducted in late July indicated potential vulnerability for the GOP in Texas. In the Senate race, Democratic state Representative James Talarico held a four-point lead over Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, 47% to 43%. Governor Abbott, seeking a fourth term, led his Democratic challenger, State Representative Gina Hinojosa, by a single point, 46% to 45% in the same poll. Despite his own narrow lead, Governor Abbott did not mention his Democratic opponent during the interview, focusing instead on Talarico.
Governor Abbott stated that the choice between Talarico and Paxton is an easy one, asserting that voters will favor Paxton after learning more about Talarico’s record, which he characterized as crazy. Paxton was previously impeached by the GOP-led Texas House in 2023 but was later acquitted by the Texas Senate. Governor Abbott attributed Paxton’s current poll standing to a demanding three-month runoff period, suggesting Paxton is now catching up in the campaign process.
Midterm elections are often viewed as a referendum on the sitting president. President Donald Trump’s approval rating recently reached 35% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll, which could impact Republican candidates even in a state like Texas, which Trump won by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024. However, Governor Abbott believes voters will focus on the contrast between Republican and Democratic candidates in Texas rather than on the president.
Regarding gas prices, a key issue for voters, Governor Abbott had posted on X in early July that Texas gas prices would drop below $2 per gallon by the end of summer. Gas prices have not been below $2 in Texas since 2021 and currently average over $3.60 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. Governor Abbott still expects prices to drop, citing reduced hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, despite minimal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s demands.
Governor Abbott also addressed the rapid growth of artificial intelligence data centers in Texas. The state currently hosts over 300 data centers, with at least 200 more planned projects. A July Fox News poll found that 70% of registered voters oppose a data center in their area. Governor Abbott acknowledged public outrage stems from the speed of development and lack of local input. He stated that data centers must now gain local community approval to operate in Texas and has promoted executive actions requiring data centers to supply their own power, reduce electricity costs, and avoid building near neighborhoods. He also paused new data center projects to ensure compliance, a move criticized by President Trump. Governor Abbott dismissed this criticism, noting Texas’s unique independent power grid.
