Overview
- Public polls in early August show varying snapshots of the contest with Abbott ahead by roughly one to six points depending on the survey.
- Abbott held about $67 million in campaign cash at the end of June while Gina Hinojosa had roughly $3 million on hand, giving the incumbent a large spending advantage.
- Abbott has pushed new pocketbook proposals that include lowering the homestead appraisal cap to 3% and allowing retail electric choice in some cities to drive down bills.
- Hinojosa has launched statewide cable ads and is running on cost‑of‑living relief, a plan to use the rainy day fund for $1,500 checks to households, firing Education Commissioner Mike Morath, and a moratorium on data‑center construction.
- Texas remains a Republican‑leaning state but close margins, low statewide familiarity with Hinojosa, education and data‑center controversies, and the Oct. 19 start of early voting mean the race could still shift before Nov. 3.