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Gina Hinojosa closes gap on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in new poll

USA Today · back to the audit
The Texas Senate race isn't the only one heating up as the Democratic gubernatorial candidate closes the gap on the sitting Republican governor.

A July 28 poll from the Texas Public Opinion Research showed Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa trailing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by 3 percentage points — just outside the poll's margin of error.

The poll was conducted from July 15-17, polling 1,048 likely Texas voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points — meaning the true result for either candidate could be up to 3.4 points higher or lower than the poll shows. It found Abbott leading Hinojosa 45% to 42% with 10% of voters being undecided.

This new TPOR poll showed that Hinojosa is closing the 7-percentage-point gap previous polls had between the two candidates.

A New York Times poll released June 30 showed Abbott leading Hinojosa 51% to 44%. A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll released June 22 showed Abbott ahead, 47% to 40%, the same seven-point margin.

The gap narrowed in spring, with a May 29 poll from the TPOR showing Abbott leading 46% to 41% with 9% undecided — a 5-point lead that matched TPOR's April poll, which had Abbott leading 48% to 43%. An April UT/Texas Politics Project poll put Abbott ahead by 6 points, 44% to 38%.

Looking more deeply at the July TPOR, it showed Hinojosa leading among independents, moderates, Black and Latino voters, while Abbott leads among college-educated and white voters.

In a statement, Hinojosa said the new polling data shows Texans are ready for change.

My plan is simple: save public schools, put money in your pocket, and end the Greg Abbott Corruption Tax, Hinojosa said. While Abbott still focuses on lining the pockets of his billionaire buddies and data center donors, I'm traveling the state hearing from Republicans, Independent and Democrats that are ready to rebuild the American Dream in Texas with an economy that works for the people, strong neighborhood schools, and safe communities.