Overview
- Early voting for the primaries runs Feb. 17–27 ahead of the March 3 election, with a May 26 runoff if no candidate tops 50% and the general election set for Nov. 3.
- Recent surveys reported by the University of Houston, Emerson College and GBAO place Greg Abbott roughly in the high‑40s to around 50% and Gina Hinojosa in the low‑40s, indicating a competitive race.
- Abbott is making immigration and border enforcement the centerpiece of his campaign, touting Operation Lone Star and a border wall while attacking Democrats over what he calls lax federal policies.
- The governor claims the state operation cut illegal crossings by more than 85% and reduced fentanyl deaths by over 40%, figures presented as his assertions in interviews.
- Hinojosa leads the Democratic primary field and has criticized ICE’s tactics, as Democrats point to a late‑January special election flip in State Senate District 9 as evidence of growing competitiveness.