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Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck and neck in U.S. Senate race, new poll finds
By Kayla Guo, Texas Tribune at Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
The vast majority of Republicans indicated they had moved on from the bitter GOP primary and now support Paxton. Talarico had commanding leads among independents and moderates.
Key takeaway Talarico had commanding leads among independents and moderates.
Why this matters in The Bellaire
In Bellaire , where voters tend to lean moderate, James Talarico's commanding lead among independents and moderates could be a significant factor. As a community within the larger Houston area, Bellaire's residents often prioritize pragmatic governance over partisan loyalty. The fact that Talarico is polling well among these groups suggests he may have an advantage in local elections. Meanwhile, Ken Paxton's ability to unify Republican support after a bitter primary will be put to the test in Harris County, where Bellaire is located. The county's diverse electorate will require both candidates to balance their partisan base with appeals to more moderate voters, making the outcome in Bellaire and surrounding areas crucial to the overall race. As the campaign season heats up, Bellaire voters will be closely watching to see how each candidate navigates these complex local dynamics.
About this story
Original reporting by Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) . The Bellaire surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The vast majority of Republicans indicated they had moved on from the bitter GOP primary and now support Paxton. Talarico had commanding leads among independents and moderates.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS) and curated for The Bellaire readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kayla Guo, Texas Tribune at Houston Public Media (NPR/PBS). To learn more about how The Bellaire selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Bellaire, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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