How big a problem is rural discontent for Texas Republicans in the election?

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1. 

   24 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

   So much Texas 2026 polling, so little time!

   Jim Henson and Joshua Blank talk about the ins and outs of all the polling data being generated in the Texas 2026 election, how to read it, and what it’s telling us so far. This episode was recorded by Scott Leben and edited by Brianna Padron.

2. 

   17 Sep 2026 · 52 min

   What we can and can’t know about the 2026 election today

   Spurred on by two new statewide polls, James Henson and Josh Blank look at the knowns and unknowns in the Texas election environment. Call it an exercise in epistemological humility. This episode was recorded by Will Kurzner and edited by Brianna Padron.

3. 

   10 Sep 2026 · 56 min

   Will Trumpapalooza help Texas Republicans?

   James Henson and Joshua Blank look at Texas public opinion (and vibes) to assess the possible impact of the 2026 National Convention in Dallas on elections in Texas. This episode was recorded by Scott Leben, and mixed by Brianna Padron.

4. 

   3 Sep 2026 · 47 min

   Data Centers Aren’t Reigning Over Texas Public Opinion

   While the latest UT/Texas Politics Project Poll found very mixed expectations among Texas voters about the expected impact of data centers in different domains, James Henson and Joshua Blank discuss the results and look at how messaging from a pro-data center group, and from Gov. Abbott, align with the perceived trade-offs revealed in the latest […]

5. 

   26 Aug 2026 · 49 min

   What the Latest UT/Texas Politics Project Poll Tells Us About the 2026 Election in Texas

   With new polling data from the August poll, James Henson and Joshua Blank talk over what the trial ballots and other election-related items can and can’t tell us about the state of Texas races as summer winds down.

6. 

   6 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 4 min

   Interpreting Tightening Polling in U.S. Senate Race in Texas

   James Henson and Joshua Blank return from a July podcasting hiatus to catch up on Texas polling in the Senate and gubernatorial races, and consider the influences on the election environment in Texas. This episode was recorded by Xayda Garza and mixed by Astrid Alvarez and Julie Rios

7. 

   2 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

   Big SCOTUS Cases and the Emergence of Stronger Parties in the U.S. and Texas

   James Henson & Joshua Blank look at Texas intersections with this week’s big Supreme Court decisions, and ponder the seeming emergence of stronger political parties in the U.S. and Texas. This episode was recorded by Astrid Alvarez and mixed by Uriel Murillo

8. 

   23 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

   Increased Partisan Intensity, a Close Senate Race, and Data Center Backlash in the New Texas Politics Project Poll

   James Henson and Joshua Blank look at 2026 Texas trial ballots and strikingly negative views of data centers and AI in the June Texas Politics Project Poll. This episode was engineered and mixed by Uriel Murillo.

9. 

   11 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

   Gov. Abbott Sends Strong Signals on Texas Data Centers

   In the wake of Gov. Greg Abbott’s signal-rich letter to Texas utility regulators on data centers in Texas, James Henson and Joshua Blank assess the public opinion on the issue and wade into the thicket of politics and policy as attention to the issue among policymakers and stakeholders grows. This episode was recorded and edited […]

10. 

    4 Jun 2026 · 1 hr

    Both parties gear up for Texas legislative races + the long shadow of 2018

    After a week in which Texas Republicans circled the wagons for legislative elections and national Democrats announced #txlege targets, James Henson and Joshua Blank look at the landscape for legislative races, and compare differences and similarities in public opinion in 2018 and 2026. This episode was engineered by Els Brady, and mixed by Uriel Murillo.