Nearly seven million votes have been counted so far in Texas, with Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump projected to secure the state's key electoral votes. As of this report, Decision Desk HQ shows Trump leading with 53.7% of the vote, compared to 45.1% for Vice President Kamala Harris. Texas, with its 40 electoral votes, plays a crucial role in the presidential race, where a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.
Trump has a strong track record in Texas, having won the state by 9% in 2016 and by 5.6% in 2020. In this year's election, early voting trends have favored Republicans, with more than 1.9 million ballots cast in the first two days—47% from Republicans and 34% from Democrats. Heading into election night, RealClearPolitics’ polling average showed Trump with a lead of more than 7 points over Harris, and a University of Texas poll from October put him at 51%.
During election night celebrations in Florida, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller made appearances in support of Trump. Nationally, the presidential race remains tight, with many states still tallying day-of and mail-in votes.
In the lead-up to the 2024 race, Trump was originally set to face off against President Joe Biden, but Biden was replaced by Harris in July. Throughout the campaign, Trump focused on strengthening border policies during rallies, including a recent stop in Austin. Harris, who campaigned in Houston, emphasized her support for abortion rights. Her campaign website advocates for a "New Way Forward" with promises to build an "opportunity economy," confront "bad actors," and address the "climate crisis." Trump’s campaign, in contrast, highlights his “big ideas, bold ambitions, and daring dreams for America’s future.”
