# Why Texans voted in the 2026 midterm election > Texas voters cast ballots in 2026 midterms amid debates over abortion, immigration and economic issues. - Title: Why Texans voted in the 2026 midterm election · Texastribune - Summary: Texas voters cast ballots in 2026 midterms amid debates over abortion, immigration and economic issues. Texas voters prioritized abortion access, immigration… - Keywords: texas, midterm election, abortion access, immigration enforcement, economic issues, early voting, vote, james talarico, governor, republican, democrat, lubbock - Source: Texastribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17513413/why-texas-voters-voted-midterm-election-2026 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: texas, midterm election, abortion access, immigration enforcement, economic issues, early voting, vote, james talarico, governor, republican, democrat, lubbock ## 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 ## Key takeaway Texas voters prioritized abortion access, immigration enforcement and economic concerns during the 2026 midterm elections.