Dr. Kenneth A. Wink

The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research recently surveyed 1,154 Texas voters about their views on current state and national issues as well as hypothetical political primary matchups in 2026.

According to the poll conducted May 28 – June 7, respondents said the most important policy facing Texas today was the economy (inflation) at 21%, with securing the border being the second most cited policy at 19%. K-12 education was the distant third of the policy alternatives (10%) chosen by respondents.

“Although securing the border was a big issue that had an electoral impact in Texas in 2024, it appears that many voters are more worried about the economy now that the election is over, and the process of governing has started,” said Dr. Ken Wink, UT Tyler professor and interim center director.

Democrats, Independents, and Republicans cited inflation as the first or second most important policy facing the state. Securing the border was the top choice of Republicans and the second most cited choice of Independents, but it was not in the top three choices of Democratic respondents, Wink noted.

In the 2026 party primaries for U.S. Senate on the Republican side, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received support from 44% of self-identified Republican primary voters, while incumbent John Cornyn was favored by 34% of Republican primary voters, with a large undecided percentage (23%).

In polling possible Democratic primary voters about a list of possible candidates for Senate, respondents were asked who most closely shared their values, Wink said. Three possible Democratic candidates emerged as viable alternatives, with U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett leading the pack at 30%, followed closely by former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (29%) and former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (28%), according to poll results.

When respondents were asked the Democratic candidate who would be most likely to win the general election, many Democrats favored Allred (34%), with Crockett trailing in second place at 27%.

“Although many observers have suggested an Allred candidacy for Senate would be a predictable choice for the Democrats, Representative Crockett’s frequent and vocal opposition to President Trump has struck a chord with many Democratic voters, suggesting she might be a viable candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026,” Wink said.

In a hypothetical matchup for Lieutenant Governor, Republican incumbent Dan Patrick leads Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives Vikki Goodwin 46%-42%, with 12% being undecided, according to the poll.

Senate Bill 2, the bill that provides vouchers for private school children that was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 3, was heavily supported by Texas voters, with 54% in favor and 31% opposed.

Wink said there was consistent support across demographics like party, race, and size of community. The only group opposed were respondents from “metropolitan areas with smaller than a 250,000 population,” with 35% support and 45% opposition, Wink added, noting parents of school-aged children across the state were substantial supporters, with 60% in favor and 29% against.

Visit the polling center website for more information about current and previous studies: www.uttyler.edu/academics/colleges-schools/arts-sciences/departments/political-science/pollingcenter.