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:Data Centers Don't Reign Over Texas Public Opinion
The latest UT/Texas Politics Project Poll found very mixed expectations among Texas voters about the expected impact of data centers in different domains. In this week's podcast, James Henson and Joshua Blank discuss the results, and look at how messaging from a pro-data center group, and from Gov. Abbott, align with the perceived trade-offs revealed in the latest data.
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.
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 warns Texas could be 'a disaster' if Talarico beats Paxton
UT/Texas Politics Project polling shows up in Mateo Rosiles' look at Donald Trump's support for Ken Paxton in the Texas race for U.S. Senate.
Strategists Say Battleground Democrats Won’t Be Able to Easily Shake ‘Woke 1.0’
Jenna Monnin looks at how Democrats'. efforts to re-cast progressive language they have used is playing out in Texas and elsewhere.
New poll: Data centers becoming a major political issue in Texas elections
CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Finks talks with James Henson about the August 2026 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll.
State of Texas: Data centers face political headwinds, poll shows
James Henson talks about Texas public opinion on data centers with host Josh Hinkle on Nexstar's State of Texas.
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