(AURN News) — Early voting is underway in Texas for the March 3 primary, drawing heightened attention to races that could reshape the state’s political landscape.
On both sides of the ballot, Black candidates are polling competitively — raising the possibility that Texas could elect its first Black U.S. senator. No Black candidate has been elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas.
Recent polling from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs shows that on the Democratic side, Rep. Jasmine Crockett leads state Rep. James Talarico 47% to 39%.
On the Republican side, a poll by J.L. Partners found Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leading with 27% support among likely voters, followed by Rep. Wesley Hunt — the sole Black candidate in the Republican primary — at 25.7% and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn at 25.5%. J.L. Partners noted Paxton’s support is down two points from December.
With Crockett’s strong showing and Hunt’s growing support, the primary results could set up a historic matchup in November.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
