The Texas Politics Project
Gas prices
61%of Texas voters say that they are “very concerned” about the price of gas, up 23 points since February (April 2026)
War with Iran
49%of Texas voters disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, 37% approve (April 2026)
Cost of Housing
53%of Texans say they are "very concerned" about the cost of housing (April 2026)
Latest Analysis
Second Reading: The Texas Republican Base Has Spoken – What's Next?
In the wake of run-off wins by GOP candidates like Ken Paxton, Mayes Middleton, and Bo French, James Henson and Joshua Blank talk about dynamics in both parties, and what’s comes next in the general election and in governing circles in Texas.
Why Donald Trump's GOP Primary Endorsements Remain Valuable in Texas
Despite the steady decline in his overall approval ratings nationally, the President's standing among Texas Republicans remains a solid asset in GOP primaries.
Podcast: Texas GOP Worries About Base Turnout Continue as Immigration Agenda Shifts
In a new Second Reading, James Henson and Joshua Blank join the response to the much-discussed memo from Ragnar Research’s Chris Perkins on signs of sagging participation among Republican primary voters in Texas and make some connections with the shifting politics of immigration and border security in the Texas GOP.
Texans’ Attention to Immigration in Decline
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Negative Views of the Direction of the Country Increase
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Events
May 28: PAAT Post Runoff Power Hour Video
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, moderated a panel of Texas media observers – Gromer Jeffers, Jr. , of The Dallas Morning News, Brad Johnson of The Texas Bullpen, Mark Jones of Rice University, and Harvey Kronberg of Harvey Kronberg's Quorum Report – to discuss the results and implications of the Texas runoff elections as party of the Professional Adovcacy Association of Texas's ongoing webinar series. View the session on the PAAT YouTube channel.
Internships
Cultivar Communities Connectors Program
Offered by: Cultivar Communities
Summer and/or Fall Internship with Austin Lobby firm.
Offered by: Jim Arnold
Communications and Community Engagement Intern
Offered by: Transit Forward
Legislative Intern
Offered by: Office of Senator Judith Zaffirini, PhD, Dean of the Texas Senate
News Media
Texas is where Democratic dreams die. Did Trump change that with his Senate pick?
The Los Angeles Times Mark Z. Barabak looks at the history of Democratic aspirations in Texas and the 2026 U.S. Senate race.
A populist will win the Texas Senate race. The question is, which one?
Rob Brownstein takes a deep dive into the Texas U.S. Senate race through the lense of populist elements in both parties.
From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformation
Eleanor Klibinoff looks at how The power struggle between old-school Bush Republicans and hardline conservatives predates President Donald Trump, even as Trump has used his clout to help tip the scales.
A Skeptic’s Guide to Whether Texas Democrats Can Actually Win This Year
Ben Rowen looks at the U.S. Senate race in Texas.
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