From Slate Magazine · Shirin Ali · · 2m
Texas Republicans Push Islamophobia to Lose Muslim Voters
Texas Republicans' anti-Muslim rhetoric risks alienating their growing Muslim base ahead of 2026 midterms.
In brief
Texas Republicans' anti-Muslim rhetoric risks alienating their growing Muslim base ahead of 2026 midterms. Texas Republicans' aggressive Islamophobia could backfire by pushing Muslim voters toward Democrats in 2026 midterms. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Texas GOP's Islamophobic Shift
Texas Republicans have intensified anti-Muslim rhetoric ahead of 2026 midterms, targeting Muslim voters as they face potential loss of state control.
“It’s especially bizarre for the Republican Party to do it because it’s supposed to stand for conservative values, religious freedom, all of that. That’s not what they’re doing”
Muslim Population Growth in Texas
Texas has the fourth-largest Muslim population in the U.S., with 300,000 people representing 1 percent of the state's total population.
EPIC City Conflict
Gov. Greg Abbott blocked EPIC City's plans to build a K, 12 school, mosque, retail space, and housing units, calling developers 'bad actors' subject to 'Sharia law'.
Attorney General Ken Paxton's Lawsuit
Attorney General Ken Paxton sued EPIC City while Texas Rep. Keith Self called for federal investigations into the developers.
Eid Celebration Canceled
Abbott threatened to withhold $500,000 state funds from Grand Prairie if they held Eid celebrations, leading to the event's cancellation.
Sharia Law Slogan
The slogan 'Don’t Sharia My Texas' spread after anti-Muslim propaganda films featuring Alex Jones and Michael Flynn went viral.
Historical Context of Islamophobia
Post-9/11 policies like the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System normalized Islamophobia, which has since grown in the U.S.
Muslim Political Influence
Muslims now hold significant political power with Democrats electing Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Zohran Mamdani to Congress.
Republican Islamophobia Tactics
Texas Rep. Chip Roy founded the 'Sharia-Free America Caucus' and posted over 244 anti-Muslim messages since January 2024.
2026 Midterm Voter Shift
Muslim voters shifted from Republicans to Democrats in 2024 due to Biden's handling of Israel's war in Gaza.
2024 Election Results
In 2024, Harris earned 20 percent of the Muslim vote while Trump received 21 percent and Jill Stein got 53 percent.
Texas Muslim Voter Trends
Texas Muslim voter registration rose from 60 percent in 2016 to 85 percent by 2025, with growing political influence.
Muslims Pushed Toward Democrats
Many Texas Muslims are abandoning Republicans due to party's Islamophobic policies, aligning with Democrats instead.
Potential Democratic Gain
Texas Senator James Talarico leads Attorney General Ken Paxton by 17 points among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.
Risk of Backfiring
Texas Republicans' Islamophobia could backfire by alienating their key Muslim voting bloc ahead of 2026 midterms.
At a glance
Texas Republicans' aggressive Islamophobia could backfire by pushing Muslim voters toward Democrats in 2026 midterms.
