Texas voters break records as Hinojosa and Paxton close out final weekend

Voters across Texas cast ballots Saturday in the final days before the general election, with turnout numbers already signaling a historic midterm. Democratic primary voters have outpaced their Republican counterparts during the early voting period. The Dallas-Fort Worth area, which contributes roughly one-third of the state's total votes, remains a central battleground for both parties.

Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate for governor, campaigned in Fort Bend County alongside U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico. She emphasized the closeness of the race and the high stakes involved in the outcome. Hinojosa stated, "No one ever thought that we would get this close, and we understand what the stakes are."

The campaign has also focused on financial influences in the race. Elon Musk has donated approximately $200 million to Republican efforts. Hinojosa has filed a legal action seeking to release emails between Governor Greg Abbott and Musk. She framed the election as a choice between a state governed by its residents or one dominated by wealthy interests, asking, "Is this going to be a Texas that is by and for the people? Or is this the billionaires' world and we just live here?"

In Fort Worth, Republican U.S. Senate candidate and Attorney General Ken Paxton held a rally to promote his record as the state's top law enforcement official. He cited his actions against companies that place toxins in food and use deceptive advertising. Paxton introduced his "Protecting the Texas Promise Plan," which outlines proposals for tax breaks related to new homeowners, medical costs, and healthy living habits. He urged supporters to discuss these differences with their personal networks.

Political analysts predict Texas may exceed previous midterm turnout records. Estimates suggest the total could surpass 10 million votes out of approximately 19 million registered voters. A strong turnout in rural counties is expected to contribute to this total. Ross Hunt, a data researcher at Hunt Research, provided a breakdown of the early vote demographics.

Hunt reported that about 54 percent of early voters are women. The racial composition of the early vote stands at 53 percent white, 25 percent Hispanic, and 10 percent Black. Younger voters are participating at higher rates, with about 30 percent of those who have already cast ballots under the age of 45.