Polls Show Tight Texas Senate Race, With Different Leaders

A poll released this week shows Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico nearly tied in the Texas Senate race, while another survey gives Talarico a four-point advantage. The results offer contrasting snapshots of a contest in which both candidates face scrutiny and some voters are considering alternatives. Quantus Insights’ survey, conducted October 9-11, put Paxton at 47.2% and Talarico at 46.7%. Libertarian Ted Brown received 2.2%, and 3.9% were undecided. The poll surveyed 854 people overall, with an 839-person ballot base and a 3.6-point margin of error for that base. Its half-point difference is within that stated margin. A separate ReconMR poll of likely voters reported Talarico at 48% and Paxton at 44%. The supplied information does not include that poll’s field dates or margin of error, limiting direct comparison. Neither survey establishes the outcome of the race. Quantus Insights found Paxton with 87% support among Republicans, compared with 7% for Talarico. It also reported Paxton ahead by one point among suburban voters and by 34 points among rural voters. Talarico led among independents in the survey, 52% to Paxton’s 37%. The poll reported unfavorable...