A poll released Thursday by Emerson College and The Hill shows Democratic candidates holding narrow leads in the U.S. Senate races in Texas and Michigan. The survey indicates competitive matchups in both states ahead of the November midterm elections, with margins within a few percentage points.
In the Texas Senate race, the poll found Democratic challenger James Talarico leading Republican nominee Ken Paxton by one percentage point. Paxton, the current Texas attorney general, secured the Republican nomination after defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a primary race where he was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
The poll results are notable in a state where the last Senate race decided by a single-digit margin was six years ago. In that contest, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke came within three percentage points of defeating Sen. Ted Cruz.
In Michigan, the survey shows Democrat Abdul El-Sayed with 48% of respondents’ support, compared to 46% for Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman. According to the poll’s demographic data, Rogers registered stronger support among non-college-educated voters and older residents of the state. El-Sayed polled more favorably with independent voters.
The Emerson College/The Hill poll also included findings on the Texas gubernatorial race. The results show that the Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, trails incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by three percentage points among those surveyed.
The poll did not release information regarding its sample size or margin of error.
