Gov. Greg Abbott’s proposal to build a wall between Texas and Mexico taps into a lasting preoccupation with immigration and border security among Texas Republican voters — and one of former President Donald Trump’s favorite issues.
Joshua Blank
Joshua Blank is the manager of polling and research at the Texas Politics Project. Born in New York, New York, he has a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston University and a master's and doctorate in government, from the University of Texas at Austin.
Analysis: Those Texans ignoring social distancing guidelines? They’re probably not vaccinated
Polling suggests that along with an increasing number of vaccinated people without masks, there will be many others who are unmasked but unvaccinated — posing a public health hazard to themselves and to other unvaccinated people with whom they come into contact.
Analysis: How Gov. Greg Abbott’s attack on “defunding the police” has divided Texas Democrats
The governor’s pivot from a focus on racism and policing after protests last summer to an emphasis on police funding and public safety, creates cross-pressures for Texans of color — particularly those who are Democrats, our pollsters write.
Analysis: A reality check for the myth of the Texas miracle
University of Texas/Texas Tribune polling showed the decade-long economic expansion widely lauded by state leaders and by most voters as “the Texas Miracle” has not affected all Texans equally, two of our pollsters write.
Analysis: The coronavirus hits Texans of color harder. You can see it in public opinion polling.
The coronavirus disproportionately affects people of color. And judging by what voters said in the last University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, it’s evident that Texans of color express greater concern about it.
Analysis: A governor balancing noisy resistance to staying at home with the rest of his political base
Gov. Greg Abbott faces pushback toward stay-at-home policy within his own party, but a larger number of Republicans are willing to take measures to protect public health.
Analysis: As the Democratic old guard frets, Bernie Sanders finds a Texas foothold
Sanders’ success in Texas is an expression of a real change that, given the very demographics Democrats have been anticipating for years, will continue to shape the party’s electoral fortunes.
Analysis: Health care and its discontents loom over Texas Democrats in 2020
Texas Democrats, like Democrats elsewhere, put health care at or near the top of their lists of most important problems. But they have significant disagreements among themselves over what to do about it.
Analysis: Cornyn’s expected vote against impeachment is in tune with Republican voters in Texas
Whatever the reason is for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s support for the president, it puts him tightly in sync with Republican voters in Texas.
Analysis: Texas Catholic bishops are critical, but in the pews, immigration views are split
Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to opt out of the federal refugee program is unpopular with Catholic bishops, but might find more favor among Republicans in Catholic congregations.

