Greg Abbott’s Chances of Losing Amid Texas Warning Signs for Republicans - Newsweek

A survey from ReconMR and Siena University found Hinojosa ahead of Abbott, according to Newsweek. An Emerson College poll also showed movement in her direction. Texas has long been a lock for Republicans statewide, but Democrats think a drop in President Donald Trump's approval rating could put more races in play come November.

For Lubbock, a city that leans Republican in most statewide contests, that shift matters. Local voters have not had to think much about a competitive governor's race in recent memory. A tightening contest could mean more attention, more ad spending, and more reason for folks here to pay attention to a race many assumed was settled. Abbott is still viewed as the favorite, but the margin is no longer treated as an afterthought.

What this means for regular people here is simple. A closer race means candidates and outside groups start paying attention to Texas in ways they haven't in years, and that usually trickles down to mailboxes, TV ads, and local phone banks.

A governor's race in Texas that pollsters are calling close would have sounded absurd a year ago.