Talarico leads both Cornyn and Paxton: Public Policy Poll

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Last edited Mon Mar 9, 2026, 09:09 PM - Edit history (1)

Talarico leads both Cornyn and Paxton

March 9, 2026 | pppadmin

https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/polls/39979/

Public Policy Polling’s newest Texas survey finds no meaningful difference in electability between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. Cornyn trails James Talarico 44-43 and Paxton trails Talarico 47-45.

While Talarico is seen favorably by Texans (a +6 favorability at 41/35) Paxton and Cornyn are unpopular. Cornyn is more unpopular though. His net favorability is -28 (25/53) while Paxton’s is -24 (30/54).

Cornyn has a problem with the kind of lower propensity Trump voters who fueled the President’s huge win in Texas in 2024. 25% of Trump voters decline to vote for Cornyn in the general election, while only 19% of Trump voters decline to vote for Paxton in the general election.

Paxton has a 55/25 favorability rating with Trump voters in the general electorate, while Cornyn’s is 38/39. This suggests that anti Trump Republicans were critical to Cornyn’s first place finish in the primary on Tuesday.

And:

https://www.texaspublicopinionresearch.com/