Fri Sep 12 22:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A recent poll in Texas shows open races in both the Democratic and Republican primaries for U.S. Senate. Incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn leads Attorney General Ken Paxton, but a significant portion of voters are undecided. On the Democratic side, potential candidates Beto O’Rourke and Jasmine Crockett lead hypothetical matchups, despite not having officially entered the race. The Texas Tribune Festival (TribFest) also announced the addition of Deb Haaland, Joan Huffman, and Jake Tapper as featured speakers for its upcoming event in Austin.

**News Article:**

**Texas Senate Primaries Remain Wide Open; TribFest Announces Big Names**

**AUSTIN, TX -** The races for the U.S. Senate in Texas are far from decided, according to a recent statewide poll. The survey, conducted by Texas Public Opinion Research, reveals a significant number of undecided voters in both the Republican and Democratic primaries, leaving the door open for potential candidates who have yet to enter the fray.

On the Republican side, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn leads Attorney General Ken Paxton, 32% to 26%. However, a substantial 29% of registered voters remain undecided, suggesting a still competitive race. This marks a shift from previous polls where Paxton had the lead. Both Cornyn and Paxton are expected to vie for an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which could prove pivotal.

The Democratic primary presents an even more fluid situation. While former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett lead hypothetical matchups with 27% and 26% respectively, neither has officially announced their candidacy. This places them ahead of announced candidates like former Dallas congressman Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico, indicating a significant opportunity for other candidates to emerge. 18% of Democratic votes remain undecided.

“You have a Democratic primary that feels wide open with a lot of different possibilities,” said Slingshot Strategies pollster Evan Roth Smith.

Meanwhile, the Texas Tribune Festival (TribFest) has announced the addition of three prominent figures to its speaker lineup: former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (2026 Democratic candidate for New Mexico governor), state Sen. Joan Huffman (2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General), and CNN’s Jake Tapper. The festival, presented by JPMorganChase, will take place November 13–15 in downtown Austin.

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