The Texas Politics Project
Data Centers
57%of Texas voters say that they oppose the construction of a data center in their community (August 2026)
ICE
41%of Texas voters have a favorable view of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while 46% have an unfavorable view (August 2026)
Healthcare Costs
64%of Texas voters say that they are ‘extremely concerned’ about the cost of healthcare (August 2026)
Latest Analysis
Second Reading Pod: What the Latest UT/Texas Politics Project Poll Tells Us About the 2026 Election In Texas
With new polling data from the August poll in hand, James Henson and Joshua Blank talk over what the trial ballots and other election-related items can and can't tell us about the state of Texas races as summer winds down.
New UT/Texas Politics Project poll finds Talarico Leading Paxton in U.S. Senate Race, Abbott maintaining lead over Hinojosa in gubernatorial race
The August 2026 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll finds 42% of Texas voters preferring Democrat James Talarico and 39% planning to vote for Republican Ken Paxton in the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott led Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa 45%-40%, as Texans continue to voice reservations about data centers and express intense concern about prices.
Second Reading: How Big a Problem is Rural Discontent with Data Centers for Texas Republicans?
In a new pod, James Henson and Joshua Blank look at public opinion data from rural Texas to assess how big a problem the state's Republican leaders have among rural voters after a summer of rural pushback on data centers, high capacity power lines, and economic concerns.
Share of Texans Saying an Economic Issue is the Most Important Problem Facing the Country
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Donald Trump Second Term Job Approval Trend
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Events
September 9: "The Politics of Data Centers in Texas" panel
On Friday, September 9, 2026, James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project will participate in a panel conversation about public views of data centers sponsored by The Texas Tribune. Panel will include Dr. Henson and Texas Tribune Reporters Paul Cobler and Taylor Goldenstein, and will be moderated by Rebekah Allen, the Tribune's managing direcvtor of politics and enterprise. The event is the first of the Tribune's "Beyond the Headlines" series. The event will be held with a live audience and streamed online. RSVP is required.
Internships
News Media
Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races
The AP looks at the politics of data centers across the U.S. and the politics of the White House's response.
'We are not a bunch of woke Marxist liberals here': Rural voters scramble Texas election
Politico's Shelby Webb looks at rural pushback on data centers and the possible impact on the 2026 election.
Austin-area residents are pushing for data center bans. State leaders are divided on what to do next
Texas Public Radio explores resistance to data centers in Austin.
TribCast: Should we believe the polls about Paxton and Talarico?
James Henson joins Texas Tribune editor-in-chief Matthew Watkins to talk about polling in Texas and responses to signs of party competition in the 2026 election in the state.
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