Past Contributions

• Analysis: On the border with Trump, Abbott and an enthusiastic GOP base

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank June 30, 2021

  Gov. Greg Abbott’s proposal to build a wall between Texas and Mexico taps into a lasting preoccupation with immigration and border security among Texas Republican voters — and one of former President Donald Trump's favorite issues. Full Story 

• Analysis: Those Texans ignoring social distancing guidelines? They’re probably not vaccinated

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank May 14, 2021

  Polling suggests that along with an increasing number of vaccinated people without masks, there will be many others who are unmasked but unvaccinated — posing a public health hazard to themselves and to other unvaccinated people with whom they come into contact. Full Story 

• Analysis: How Gov. Greg Abbott's attack on "defunding the police" has divided Texas Democrats

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank March 5, 2021

  The governor's pivot from a focus on racism and policing after protests last summer to an emphasis on police funding and public safety, creates cross-pressures for Texans of color — particularly those who are Democrats, our pollsters write. Full Story 

• Analysis: A reality check for the myth of the Texas miracle

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank June 6, 2020

  University of Texas/Texas Tribune polling showed the decade-long economic expansion widely lauded by state leaders and by most voters as “the Texas Miracle” has not affected all Texans equally, two of our pollsters write. Full Story 

• Analysis: The coronavirus hits Texans of color harder. You can see it in public opinion polling.

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank May 12, 2020

  The coronavirus disproportionately affects people of color. And judging by what voters said in the last University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, it's evident that Texans of color express greater concern about it. Full Story 

• Analysis: A governor balancing noisy resistance to staying at home with the rest of his political base

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank April 27, 2020

  Gov. Greg Abbott faces pushback toward stay-at-home policy within his own party, but a larger number of Republicans are willing to take measures to protect public health. Full Story 

• Analysis: As the Democratic old guard frets, Bernie Sanders finds a Texas foothold

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank March 2, 2020

  Sanders' success in Texas is an expression of a real change that, given the very demographics Democrats have been anticipating for years, will continue to shape the party’s electoral fortunes. Full Story 

• Analysis: Health care and its discontents loom over Texas Democrats in 2020

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank Feb. 24, 2020

  Texas Democrats, like Democrats elsewhere, put health care at or near the top of their lists of most important problems. But they have significant disagreements among themselves over what to do about it. Full Story 

• Analysis: Cornyn's expected vote against impeachment is in tune with Republican voters in Texas

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank Feb. 4, 2020

  Whatever the reason is for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's support for the president, it puts him tightly in sync with Republican voters in Texas. Full Story 

• Analysis: Texas Catholic bishops are critical, but in the pews, immigration views are split

  By Jim Henson and Joshua Blank Jan. 15, 2020

  Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to opt out of the federal refugee program is unpopular with Catholic bishops, but might find more favor among Republicans in Catholic congregations. Full Story