Jim Henson, PhD

Jim Henson directs the Texas Politics project and teaches in the Department of Government at The University of Texas, where he also received a doctorate. He helped design public interest multimedia for the Benton Foundation in Washington, D.C., in the late 1990s and has written about politics in general-interest and academic publications. He also serves as associate director of the College of Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services unit at UT, where he has helped produce several award-winning instructional media projects. In 2008, he and Daron Shaw, a fellow UT government professor, established the first statewide, publicly available internet survey of public opinion in Texas using matched random sampling. He lives in Austin, where he also serves as a member of the City of Austin Ethics Review Commission.     

In Vote, Opposition Isn't Overflowing

October 24, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

Political chatter about a grassroots uprising against the water funding measure on the November ballot appears to be overblown. Polling indicates a fair amount of Tea Party support for that constitutional amendment.

Deflecting Immigration Questions

October 16, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

Uncomfortable questions about in-state tuition might prompt candidates like Greg Abbott to reach into Rick Perry's bag of tricks for an issue that addresses immigration issues without inflaming the wrong voters.

A Trickle of Votes for a Water Fund

October 15, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

Texas voter turnout is low, but for constitutional amendments like the one next month, turnout is often very, very low. So how do you figure out which poll respondents deserve your attention?

Clear Demographics, Unclear Politics

October 10, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

Sages in both political parties say they are the natural ideological allies of the rising Hispanic population in Texas. But while the demographic trends are undeniable, the political meaning behind them is cloudy.

Will the Tea Party Press John Cornyn?

October 2, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

Some in the Tea Party faction of the Texas GOP are encouraging talk of a challenge to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, raising a question: Is he vulnerable to a challenge?

Education Could Test Both Parties

September 26, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

Education could be a tricky issue for gubernatorial candidates in 2014, with both the Democratic and Republican nominee having to navigate through unexpected cross-currents among their own constituencies.

Are Suburban Women Key to Democratic Resurgence?

September 12, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

While the Hispanic vote has been the focus of much of the analysis of Democrats’ prospects for turning the Republican tide, in the short term, they will almost certainly need to look to suburban women — especially if Wendy Davis is at the top of the ticket.

Inventing Abbott

September 5, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

For all the advantages that have lent the feel of an unofficial coronation to his candidacy for governor, Attorney General Greg Abbott remains an undefined figure among many Texas voters, including as many as 40 percent of Republican primary voters. 

How Holder May Help Abbott in 2014

August 29, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

Public opinion on voting rights in Texas neither paints a dour picture for gubernatorial hopeful Greg Abbott nor presents a clear path forward for Democrats.

How Abortion Could Shape a 2014 Abbott-Davis Contest

August 22, 2013
By: 
Jim Henson, PhD
Joshua Blank, PhD

The return of abortion bills during the special sessions presents opportunities for both Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis to consolidate support and financial backers. But the choices they make could result in a potentially complicated general election dynamic.

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