What the winning messages reveal about Texans’ priorities and the policy debates ahead.
Ahead of the 2026 election, Texas candidates from both parties addressed many of the same issues, including data center regulation, affordability and education with major differences emerging in how they framed those issues and the solutions they proposed.
Now, with the 2026 midterm election behind us, we can examine which messages resonated most with Texas voters.
Data Centers
Data center projects have been at the topic of conversation in Texas for the past few months. People are concerned about water use, electricity demand and oversight of data center projects across the state. Republicans and Democrats have found common ground on the issue, with both parties saying they want to strengthen regulations on data center projects, including candidates on the ballot for Texas Lieutenant Governor. Vikki Goodwin and Dan Patrick, the Democrat and Republican contenders, respectively, differed in their messaging.
Vikki Goodwin focused her data center policy comments around environmental concerns. On her campaign website, she called for environmental impact studies to be done before data centers are built. Goodwin wants to ensure that information on greenhouse emissions, water use and air pollution is reported to the public prior to any data center development.
Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor incumbent, focused his messaging on power supply and his expectation for data centers to pay for their own power. At an October 21st campaign stop in Lubbock, Patrick issued a strong warning to data center companies to be transparent about the resources they will need for their facilities.
Housing Costs
As Texas families continue to face rising housing costs, affordability was at the top of candidates’ minds. Democrats in Texas blame the affordability crisis on Republican leadership, while Republicans blame local governments for raising property taxes and spending, as mentioned in a campaign ad by Governor Abbott in September 2026. Not only do the two parties disagree on what is causing the problem, they have different ideas on how to solve it.
Republicans focused their housing affordability messaging on tax cuts and an increased housing supply. Governor Abbott promised to reduce property taxes and fast-track home construction to lower housing costs by accelerating the pace at which housing companies can work.
Democrats focused their messaging on reining in company ownership of single-family homes. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa said she wants to ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes in hopes of expanding the housing supply for Texans. “As Governor, Gina will preserve homeownership for Texans by stopping private equity firms from buying up housing,” her campaign website reads.
Education
Strengthening education is always a hot-button issue in Texas, and this election proved to be no different. Statistics from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) show 44% of students are reading at grade level and 46% are able to perform grade-level math in Texas. Both Republicans and Democrats agree Texas must improve education.
Senate Bill 2 was passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session and established the state’s school voucher system, also known as the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program. Current Comptroller Don Huffines has called for an expansion of the program. “The comptroller’s office hears constantly from Texas families who are eager to apply when the opportunity becomes available,” said a TEFA program spokesperson, in response to the comptroller’s office asking for another $2 billion from the legislature to expand the program.
Hinojosa strongly opposes the TEFA program, arguing that Texas should prioritize public schools already in crisis. She said that, if elected governor, she would end the state’s voucher program as part of her campaign pledge to save Texas public schools.
What the Results Tell Us
In a competitive year, Democrats made significant gains in Texas. Messaging on affordability and public education ultimately reached more voters, including rural Texans weighing the future of local schools and the effects of development on water supplies and agricultural communities.
The 90th Texas Legislative Session will require negotiation between those governing priorities. Public school funding, TEFA and environmental oversight will generate debate, while infrastructure investment, water planning and property rights could provide opportunities for bipartisan agreement. Rural lawmakers will be important partners in shaping policies that support economic development and meet local needs.
Navigating this shift will require relationships with new leadership and continued engagement with Senate Republicans. Organizations will need to connect their priorities to lawmakers’ concerns and demonstrate benefits to the communities they represent. And for any endeavor that touches the public, community engagement is a must.
