James Henson
@jhenson.bsky.social
Director of the Texas Politics Project at UT Austin. (Profile image is detail from a painting by Harry Underwood.)
A few #SuperBowlLX halftime looks at Texas approval of @realDonaldTrump's handling of Immigration, from December 2025 Texas Politics Project Poll. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
February 9, 2026 at 1:29 AM
A few #SuperBowlLX halftime looks at Texas approval of @realDonaldTrump's handling of Immigration, from December 2025 Texas Politics Project Poll. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
Trend in favorability ratings of Donald Trump in Texas, overall and by party ID, via Texas Politics Project polling data archive. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
February 9, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Trend in favorability ratings of Donald Trump in Texas, overall and by party ID, via Texas Politics Project polling data archive. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
A look at what Texas polling data might suggest about the potential primary audience for Senate candidate James Talarico's emphasis on his faith. Some data tables below, more discussion at the link. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/the-aud... #tx2026
February 9, 2026 at 12:30 AM
A look at what Texas polling data might suggest about the potential primary audience for Senate candidate James Talarico's emphasis on his faith. Some data tables below, more discussion at the link. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/the-aud... #tx2026
New Second Reading pod: A Hot Week in Texas Election Politics
Josh Blank & I talk about the Democratic win in SD 9, hostilities in the Dem US Senate primary, & President Trump dangling an endorsement in the GOP Senate primary. youtu.be/MTcLn_siqfk?... #tx2026 #txlege
Josh Blank & I talk about the Democratic win in SD 9, hostilities in the Dem US Senate primary, & President Trump dangling an endorsement in the GOP Senate primary. youtu.be/MTcLn_siqfk?... #tx2026 #txlege
A Hot Election Week in Texas
YouTube video by Texas Politics Project
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 5:51 PM
New Second Reading pod: A Hot Week in Texas Election Politics
Josh Blank & I talk about the Democratic win in SD 9, hostilities in the Dem US Senate primary, & President Trump dangling an endorsement in the GOP Senate primary. youtu.be/MTcLn_siqfk?... #tx2026 #txlege
Josh Blank & I talk about the Democratic win in SD 9, hostilities in the Dem US Senate primary, & President Trump dangling an endorsement in the GOP Senate primary. youtu.be/MTcLn_siqfk?... #tx2026 #txlege
‘Melania’ Arrives With Strong Box Office Showing for a Documentary www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/b...
February 1, 2026 at 8:31 PM
‘Melania’ Arrives With Strong Box Office Showing for a Documentary www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/b...
Trend in Texas agreement with: "Undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States should be deported immediately." Recent trend should inform expectations abt GOP response to MN shooting via @TxPolProject polling data. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/support-... [*edit] #tx2026 #tx2026
January 26, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Trend in Texas agreement with: "Undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States should be deported immediately." Recent trend should inform expectations abt GOP response to MN shooting via @TxPolProject polling data. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/support-... [*edit] #tx2026 #tx2026
Texas approval of Trump handling of immigration policy, from Dec '25 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll.
Approve: All 47%; D 8%; Ind 36%; R 84%
Disapprove: All 43%; D86%; Ind 43%; R 7% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
Approve: All 47%; D 8%; Ind 36%; R 84%
Disapprove: All 43%; D86%; Ind 43%; R 7% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
January 25, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Texas approval of Trump handling of immigration policy, from Dec '25 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll.
Approve: All 47%; D 8%; Ind 36%; R 84%
Disapprove: All 43%; D86%; Ind 43%; R 7% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
Approve: All 47%; D 8%; Ind 36%; R 84%
Disapprove: All 43%; D86%; Ind 43%; R 7% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
"Has the Trump adm gone too far in enforcing federal immigration laws, has it been about right or has it not gone far enough?" #Texas responses in Dec 2025 UT/Tx Politics Project Poll (prior to MN ICE shootings)
Too far: 45%
Not far enough: 23%
Abt right: 25% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/views-on...
Too far: 45%
Not far enough: 23%
Abt right: 25% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/views-on...
Views on Trump Administration Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws (December 2025)
Public opinion polling and analysis from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.
texaspolitics.utexas.edu
January 25, 2026 at 12:51 AM
"Has the Trump adm gone too far in enforcing federal immigration laws, has it been about right or has it not gone far enough?" #Texas responses in Dec 2025 UT/Tx Politics Project Poll (prior to MN ICE shootings)
Too far: 45%
Not far enough: 23%
Abt right: 25% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/views-on...
Too far: 45%
Not far enough: 23%
Abt right: 25% texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/views-on...
About those lines at the HEB...
Skepticism About Texas Efforts to Improve Grid Resilience Adds to Winter Weather Worries
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/skeptic...
Skepticism About Texas Efforts to Improve Grid Resilience Adds to Winter Weather Worries
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/skeptic...
January 23, 2026 at 11:26 PM
About those lines at the HEB...
Skepticism About Texas Efforts to Improve Grid Resilience Adds to Winter Weather Worries
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/skeptic...
Skepticism About Texas Efforts to Improve Grid Resilience Adds to Winter Weather Worries
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/skeptic...
New Second Reading Podcast: A Weather Report on Issues in the 2026 Primaries texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/second-... #tx2026
January 23, 2026 at 1:51 AM
New Second Reading Podcast: A Weather Report on Issues in the 2026 Primaries texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/second-... #tx2026
Yes, please, I'll have some Greenland sauce on that TACO. Thanks.
January 21, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Yes, please, I'll have some Greenland sauce on that TACO. Thanks.
The Second Reading Podcast returns for 2026: Joshua Blank & I look at results on health care, immigration, and the 2026 U.S. Senate race in the final UT/Texas Politics Poll of 2025 and what they portend for the 2026 election year. youtu.be/6ufrMkY_dKU?... #txlege
Texas views on health care and immigration enforcement plus a check in on the 2026 U.S. Senate race
YouTube video by Texas Politics Project
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
The Second Reading Podcast returns for 2026: Joshua Blank & I look at results on health care, immigration, and the 2026 U.S. Senate race in the final UT/Texas Politics Poll of 2025 and what they portend for the 2026 election year. youtu.be/6ufrMkY_dKU?... #txlege
Supreme Leader Vows to ‘Not Back Down’ as Protests Swell www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/w...
January 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Supreme Leader Vows to ‘Not Back Down’ as Protests Swell www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/w...
If you are a government (including legislative), political, or legal office or organization looking for interns, I invite you to post openings at the Texas Politics Project internship bulletin board. It easy to use, gets tons of users, & is free. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/internship
Internships
texaspolitics.utexas.edu
January 7, 2026 at 8:40 PM
If you are a government (including legislative), political, or legal office or organization looking for interns, I invite you to post openings at the Texas Politics Project internship bulletin board. It easy to use, gets tons of users, & is free. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/internship
Reposted by James Henson
Here's the clip of Tony Dokoupil ending tonight's broadcast by absolutely gushing over "ultimate Florida Man" Marco Rubio.
January 7, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Here's the clip of Tony Dokoupil ending tonight's broadcast by absolutely gushing over "ultimate Florida Man" Marco Rubio.
Texas approval of Pres. Trump handling of foreign policy, from October 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
January 3, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Texas approval of Pres. Trump handling of foreign policy, from October 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
A few looks at Texas views of Venezuela, from December 2024 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/venezuel... #tx2026
January 3, 2026 at 5:50 PM
A few looks at Texas views of Venezuela, from December 2024 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll. texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/venezuel... #tx2026
Trend in Texas agreement with statement (overall & by party ID): "This country would be better off if we just stayed home and did not concern ourselves with problems in other parts of the world." Via UT/Texas Politics Project polling.
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/trend-co... #txlege #Tx2026
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/trend-co... #txlege #Tx2026
January 3, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Trend in Texas agreement with statement (overall & by party ID): "This country would be better off if we just stayed home and did not concern ourselves with problems in other parts of the world." Via UT/Texas Politics Project polling.
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/trend-co... #txlege #Tx2026
texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/trend-co... #txlege #Tx2026
Banksy Gives Britain Another Bittersweet Christmas Gift www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/w...
Banksy Gives Britain Another Bittersweet Christmas Gift
www.nytimes.com
December 25, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Banksy Gives Britain Another Bittersweet Christmas Gift www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/w...
First show in Texas, my first teip to Austin: Joe Ely at Gruene Hall. A highlight: youtu.be/ut8aVCvXohY?...
Joe Ely -- Fingernails (Live 1986)
YouTube video by 709Austin
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 AM
First show in Texas, my first teip to Austin: Joe Ely at Gruene Hall. A highlight: youtu.be/ut8aVCvXohY?...
In the last Second Reading podcast for the year, Joshua Blank & I mine 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project polling for tests that speak to the past year and what’s coming in 2026.
youtu.be/oSQoN0B8xDg?...
youtu.be/oSQoN0B8xDg?...
Digging Up Public Opinion Nuggets from 2025 Texas Politics Project Polling
YouTube video by Texas Politics Project
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 1:42 AM
In the last Second Reading podcast for the year, Joshua Blank & I mine 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project polling for tests that speak to the past year and what’s coming in 2026.
youtu.be/oSQoN0B8xDg?...
youtu.be/oSQoN0B8xDg?...
Texas approval of Donald Trump handling of healthcare, from Oct 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll:
All: 31% approve/51% disapprove
Dems: 5% approve / 89% disapprove
Reps: 58% approve / 14% disapprove (25% neutral/3%DK)
Inds: 13% approve/64% disapprove
More: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
All: 31% approve/51% disapprove
Dems: 5% approve / 89% disapprove
Reps: 58% approve / 14% disapprove (25% neutral/3%DK)
Inds: 13% approve/64% disapprove
More: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
December 11, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Texas approval of Donald Trump handling of healthcare, from Oct 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll:
All: 31% approve/51% disapprove
Dems: 5% approve / 89% disapprove
Reps: 58% approve / 14% disapprove (25% neutral/3%DK)
Inds: 13% approve/64% disapprove
More: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
All: 31% approve/51% disapprove
Dems: 5% approve / 89% disapprove
Reps: 58% approve / 14% disapprove (25% neutral/3%DK)
Inds: 13% approve/64% disapprove
More: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/donald-t...
Texas concern about the cost of #healthcare, via October 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project poll.
All: 66% very, 22% somewhat concerned.
Dems: 82% very, 13% somewhat
Repub: 51% very, 29% somewhat
Indys: 72% very, 20% somewhat
Much more: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/concern-... #tx2026 #Txlege
All: 66% very, 22% somewhat concerned.
Dems: 82% very, 13% somewhat
Repub: 51% very, 29% somewhat
Indys: 72% very, 20% somewhat
Much more: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/concern-... #tx2026 #Txlege
December 11, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Texas concern about the cost of #healthcare, via October 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project poll.
All: 66% very, 22% somewhat concerned.
Dems: 82% very, 13% somewhat
Repub: 51% very, 29% somewhat
Indys: 72% very, 20% somewhat
Much more: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/concern-... #tx2026 #Txlege
All: 66% very, 22% somewhat concerned.
Dems: 82% very, 13% somewhat
Repub: 51% very, 29% somewhat
Indys: 72% very, 20% somewhat
Much more: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/concern-... #tx2026 #Txlege
Texas views from the June 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll: Who do you sympathize more with in the conflict between #Russia and #Ukraine, by party ID. (Overall: Ukraine 59%, Russia 35, neither 32%, not sure 6%). More: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/in-the-c...
December 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Texas views from the June 2025 UT/Texas Politics Project Poll: Who do you sympathize more with in the conflict between #Russia and #Ukraine, by party ID. (Overall: Ukraine 59%, Russia 35, neither 32%, not sure 6%). More: texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/in-the-c...
For observers of Texas politics/political history noting the passing of Bill Ratliff: Highlights from an event at UT with Bill Ratliff and Pete Laney from 2006 from the Texas Politics Project YouTube archive. Our thoughts go out to the Ratliff family. youtube.com/playlist?lis... #txlege
Pete Laney and Bill Ratliff - YouTube
youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
For observers of Texas politics/political history noting the passing of Bill Ratliff: Highlights from an event at UT with Bill Ratliff and Pete Laney from 2006 from the Texas Politics Project YouTube archive. Our thoughts go out to the Ratliff family. youtube.com/playlist?lis... #txlege