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U.S. Rep. Colin Allred’s campaign has released an internal poll showing a 46%-46% tie in his race against Sen. Ted Cruz, though recent external polls suggest Cruz holds a slight lead. With the Texas Senate race rated as “Lean Republican,” the data indicates a highly competitive contest as early voting begins. Meanwhile, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson has announced new election security measures, and Rep. Hugh Shine and AG Ken Paxton emphasize voter awareness and integrity in the final days before Election Day.
Today’s Insights:
- Allred’s Campaign Releases Poll Showing Tied Texas Senate Race
- Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson Asserts Strengthened Election Security
- Rep. Hugh Shine Encourages Bell County Voters to Observe Polls
- AG Ken Paxton Warns of Voter Fraud at Poker Event
Allred’s Campaign Releases Poll Showing Tied Texas Senate Race
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred’s campaign has released an internal poll indicating a tie in the Texas Senate race, with both Allred and incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz polling at 46% among likely voters. The poll, conducted from October 18 to October 23, surveyed 800 likely voters via landline, cell phone, and text-to-online interviews. This reflects a narrowing of the gap since May, when Cruz held a seven-point lead over Allred (47% to 40%), and a two-point lead earlier in October (44% to 46%).
However, recent external polls provide additional context on the race’s dynamics. An October poll by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project found Cruz leading by seven points, at 51% to 44%. Meanwhile, a New York Times/Siena College poll, also from October, showed Cruz with a four-point lead, 50% to 46%, within the margin of error and indicating a close race. We’ve rated the Texas Senate race as “Lean Republican” and project it to be closer than other statewide races.
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson Asserts Strengthened Election Security
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson recently outlined enhanced security measures for the upcoming election in her interview with Inside Texas Politics, asserting that "this upcoming election will be the most secure election Texas has ever had." To ensure the integrity of the state’s election system, Nelson highlighted Texas' commitment to protecting voter data and preventing duplicate registrations. Although Texas has not joined additional multi-state systems for managing voter rolls, Nelson emphasized that the state has implemented new tools and technologies to detect and prevent voter fraud. These tools include advanced voter roll management within Texas, allowing for more accurate detection of duplicate records, improved data matching techniques to cross-check voter information across various databases, and enhanced cybersecurity protocols to protect voter information.
Rep. Hugh Shine Urges Bell County Voters to Support Democrat Jennifer Lee Over GOP Nominee
Republican Rep. Hugh Shine recently urged Bell County voters to vote against GOP nominee Hillary Hickland in the Texas House District 55 race. In a message to voters, Shine voiced his support for Democratic candidate Jennifer Lee, stating, "If public education is a priority for them, they need to vote for (Democrat) Jennifer Lee." Hickland defeated Shine, 53%-40%, in the Republican primary.
First Reported by Quorum Report
AG Ken Paxton Warns of Voter Fraud at Poker Event
At a Texas “Politics and Poker” event, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned about the risks of voter fraud and urging Texans to remain vigilant during the election process. This contrasts with Texas Security of State Jane Nelson messaging that this year’s election is a secure election.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
