Memo: Texas Senate

By Collin McDonough, Sean McElwee

Executive Summary:

  • The Democratic primary election for the 2020 Senate nomination in Texas is in flux, with retired US Air Force Major MJ Hegar, labor organizer Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, and state Senator Royce West in the strongest positions for a possible runoff election. Hegar leads the pack, with 18 percent of the vote, followed by Tzintzún Ramirez and West, who are tied at 13 percent. 

  • In a runoff scenario, Tzintzún Ramirez leads Hegar by 1 point (33 percent for Tzintzún Ramirez, 32 percent for Hegar). However, Hegar faces less of a challenge if against other candidates in a runoff. Hegar beats Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 48 percent to to 16. Hegar also beats West, 43 percent to 17 percent. (The remainder in each of these two matchups is undecided.)

  • Progressive policies are popular in Texas, with net support for clean-energy jobs (18 percentage points), generic pharmaceuticals (71 points), and marijuana legalization (23 points). 

 
 

  • Voters support a non-police, first-responder agency to address addiction and mental illness issues.

  • Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders lead the Texas Democratic presidential primary, followed by Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttiegieg. 

2020 ElectionSean McElweeState-level Polling, Elections, Climate, Healthcare, Justice