New poll shows border security, economy top issues for Texas voters

TYLER, Texas (Nexstar) — Some issues Texas voters care about most this election are some of the key campaign issues Republicans are running on.

According to a new University of Texas at Tyler Poll, which surveyed just under 1,000 registered voters, these are the issues most important to them ahead of the 2022 midterm election:

1. Securing the border
2. Economy/inflation
3. Reproductive rights
4. Education
5. Restricting abortion
6. Reducing crime
7. Electric grid
8. Climate change
9. Gun rights
10. Immigration

This poll shows incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is still ahead of Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke. Among likely voters, 50% said they'd vote for Abbott, while 44% said they'd choose O'Rourke.

The majority of voters feel Abbott will do a better job at securing the border over O'Rourke — something Abbott has made a key issue of his 2022 midterm election campaign. O'Rourke has focused more on common-sense gun legislation and abortion rights.

The race for lieutenant governor is less close than the race for governor. Forty-four percent are likely to vote for Republican incumbent Dan Patrick over his Democratic challenger Mike Collier. Thirty-three percent said they'd vote for Collier.

The race for attorney general has a more narrow margin than any other major race, according to the poll. Incumbent Ken Paxton (R) only leads his Democratic opponent Rochelle Garza by four points, according to the UT Tyler poll.

This story will be updated by Reporter Jala Washington.