A new CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday shows Texas' U.S. Senate race as close as a race can be on the eve of early voting: Democrat James Talarico at 51% and Republican Ken Paxton at 49% among likely voters, a gap smaller than the survey's 3.5-point margin of error for that group.
In the governor's race, the same poll has Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ahead of Democrat Gina Hinojosa, 52% to 48%.
The CBS News/YouGov survey reached 1,492 registered voters from Oct. 8 to 16. Its published charts show results for the two major-party candidates in each race.
What is driving the Senate vote
Cost of living dominates. Asked which issue matters most in their Senate vote, 56% of likely voters picked it, followed by immigration and the border at 23%, health care at 12% and taxes at 9%. Among voters who said higher prices have been difficult or a hardship, Talarico led 62% to 38%, a subgroup result with a wider 4.2-point margin of error.
Character is another dividing line. Fifty-four percent of likely voters said Talarico has the right personal character to serve as a senator, while 41% said the same of Paxton.
The two candidates' supporters gave different reasons for their choice:
- Among Talarico voters, 48% said they mainly like him, 30% said they mainly want to oppose Paxton and 22% cited his place as the party's nominee.
- Among Paxton voters, 41% pointed to his status as the Republican nominee, 36% said they want to oppose Talarico and 23% said they like him.
