From Texastribune · · 1m 50s
Why Texans voted in the 2026 midterm election
Texas voters cast ballots in 2026 midterms amid debates over abortion, immigration and economic issues.
In brief
Texas voters cast ballots in 2026 midterms amid debates over abortion, immigration and economic issues. Texas voters prioritized abortion access, immigration enforcement and economic concerns during the 2026 midterm elections. Originally reported by Texastribune.
Odessa voters split on abortion and economy
Voters in Odessa divided over abortion access, immigration enforcement and economic hardship.
“Too many support abortion and sex changes for young people”
Eugenio and Margarita Bersosa
Eugenio and Margarita Bersosa, who moved to Odessa from Mexico in 1974, voted Republican due to religious beliefs.
“We’re religious people, and we don’t coexist with those values”
Sandra Ward
Sandra Ward, 83, voted Republican despite concerns about Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“There are (Republicans) I don’t like, but their values are more my values as a Christian”
Kathleen Hamilton
Kathleen Hamilton, 54, voted for both parties over reproductive healthcare and economic issues.
“I am not happy that (abortion) was taken away from women in Texas”
Rudy Ortiz
Rudy Ortiz, 66, voted Democratic over immigration enforcement and economic concerns.
“I know I’m just a small voice in a big ocean”
Lubbock voters split on religion and inequality
Lubbock voters divided between religious concerns and economic inequality.
“They’ve been in power for a long time, and I don’t think anyone has benefited from it at all”
Kamren Ashmore
Kamren Ashmore, 25, voted Democratic after becoming a Christian.
“He’s a different kind of Christian, and I would say he seems to represent some of those values a little more”
Tom Tenner
Tom Tenner, 77, voted Democratic over concerns about scientific research and immigration.
“Maybe my grandkids will, but not if we keep voting in people who are trying to scare us”
Carol Lauer
Carol Lauer, 71, voted Republican over concerns about immigration and border security.
“I don’t want the Islamic people taking over our country with their mosques and their ideology in our schools”
Chris West
Chris West, a college liberal, switched to Republican over social issues.
“The pronouns, I don’t want that kind of stuff in schools”
Henry Barring
Henry Barring, 32, voted Democratic for potential change in Texas.
“This is a really important election. We got good candidates on the board like Talarico and Hinojosa”
Kevin Giraldo
Kevin Giraldo, 35, voted Democratic for change and hope in Texas.
“I am tired of the hate. I want Texas to be home again”
Rome Street
Rome Street, a woman in her 30s, saw voting lines as a mix of good and bad.
“The midterms are very important. Who you vote for now matters now and later”
Sherry Browning
Sherry Browning, 70s, organized political cheerleaders to encourage voting.
“All history is good history; whether there are some sad parts in there, it’s still good history”
McAllen immigration concerns
Immigration concerns dominated voting in McAllen’s Lark Community Center.
“They need to be stopped”
Talarico’s impact on East Texas
Talarico’s candidacy influenced East Texas voters across both parties.
“He’s a good voice”
What matters most
Texas voters prioritized abortion access, immigration enforcement and economic concerns during the 2026 midterm elections.
