Joshua Blank, PhD

Joshua Blank, PhD is the research director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston University and a doctoral degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. He has played a primary role in most of the major public statewide polls conducted in Texas since 2011.

Texas' Date With Immigration Reform

May 8, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD
Jim Henson, PhD

As many GOP leaders argue that passing comprehensive immigration reform is in the GOP’s best interest, some data suggests that the long-term interest of party strategists and the short-term self-interest of members of Congress are not necessarily in sync.

Planned Parenthood and Women's Health

May 3, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD
Jim Henson, PhD

The marginalization of Planned Parenthood probably makes the discussion of women’s health care less contentious — among Republicans, anyway.

A Seat for the Tea Party

April 19, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD
Jim Henson, PhD

Sentiment for the Tea Party remains strong within the GOP, but what started as an insurgent group is becoming just another — albeit important — part of the Republican Party in Texas.

Rubio, Rest of GOP Say No to Amnesty

April 16, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio hit the Sunday talk shows to discuss an immigration reform plan that he said would not provide amnesty. In Texas, a strong majority of Texans oppose a comprehensive overhaul, with the "pathway to citizenship" a likely stumbling block.

Cruz Registers Tea Party Embrace of Gun Rights

April 11, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD
Jim Henson, PhD

Attitudes about gun control proposals among Texas Republicans provide a foundation for understanding Sen. Ted Cruz’s resistance to the apparent compromise taking shape in the U.S. Senate.

Texans Conservative on Concealed Carry

April 9, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD

It's no shock that Texans tend to be more conservative when it comes to federal gun control measures. But Texans are also conservative in another, more literal sense when it comes to proposals seeking to reduce the requirements to carry a concealed handgun.

No Backlash to Education Cuts?

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

Polling over the last two years from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune suggests that education has not become more salient to Texas voters, nor have perceptions of school quality suffered significantly.

Disapproval and Its Consequence

March 28, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD

Some voters will associate a particular policy with a particular individual, and they will probably transfer the opinion of the person to the issue at hand. President Obama's numbers in Texas show that any issue he supports is unlikely to gain much traction in the state.

Texans' View of Gay Marriage Shifts

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

While the country has been jogging toward its new position on gay marriage, polling numbers show Texans appear to have been moseying along in the same direction.

Papal and Public Opinion on Gay Marriage

March 19, 2013
By: 
Joshua Blank, PhD

Whether or not the Catholic Church remains strongly opposed to gay marriage under Pope Francis I, one thing is for sure: There is a clear and widening gap between papal and public opinion on same-sex relationships in the U.S., and Texas is no exception.

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