Ken Paxton's Gen Z Push Goes Belly-Up
Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico is leading Paxton among likely voters under the age of 35, a new poll shows.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's push to appeal to Gen Z voters has failed, according to a new poll. A survey released by the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University shows Democratic state Representative James Talarico leading Paxton by a wide margin among likely voters aged 35 and younger.
Talarico leads 76 percent to 18 percent, a 17-point increase from a previous poll, while Paxton's support has dropped 11 points, falling to 46 percent. Talarico's rise comes as he has focused on reaching young voters through podcasts and online shows popular with the demographic. Meanwhile, young voters have shifted their support to Talarico in other statewide races as well, with Democrat Gina Hinojosa now leading Governor Greg Abbott 71 percent to 21 percent, and Representative Vikki Goodwin leading Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick 65 percent to 18 percent.
Paxton's ties to young conservative voices online have a history, with a company called Influenceable LLC recruiting Gen Z social media figures to post in his defense in 2023. However, Talarico has shifted his positions on some issues, such as trans athletes playing in girls sports, while still maintaining a focus on protecting the oil and gas industry.
Despite his lead among younger voters, Paxton still dominates the rest of the Republican base, with 98 percent of them backing him.
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