Weekly News Summary 

Monday, November 2, 2026

This is one of the most consequential weeks of the year for the Texas business community. On Tuesday, voters will determine not only who represents Texas in Washington, but also who will occupy key statewide, judicial and legislative offices that will help shape the state's economic and regulatory environment for the next several years.

For business leaders, the importance of this election extends well beyond individual candidates or partisan outcomes. November 3 marks the beginning of a policy transition. Once the votes are counted and results are finalized, attention in Texas will turn quickly from campaigns to governing and to preparation for the 90th Texas Legislature, which convenes in January 2027.

That session is likely to address many of the issues TBLA members and partners have been tracking throughout the legislative interim.

WHAT TEXAS BUSINESS LEADERS SHOULD MONITOR THIS WEEK

Regardless of individual electoral outcomes, several questions should guide business analysis after November:

ELECTION ACTIVITY

The Texas governor's race is receiving substantially more attention than Texas gubernatorial contests typically receive at this stage. Reuters reported October 30 that Democrat Gina Hinojosa was trailing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by only a few points in recent polling, while affordability, education, immigration and the economy continue to feature prominently in the campaign. Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994, giving the current competitiveness unusual historical significance without determining the ultimate outcome.

The Texas U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico remains the state's dominant political story. The Texas Tribune reported this weekend that more than $408 million in advertising has been spent since the primaries, while Republican-aligned organizations have poured more than $272 million into the race. Public polling continues to show a narrow contest, but the surveys remain measurements of different electorates rather than reliable forecasts of the final result.

Texas congressional races also remain important to control of the U.S. House. Six districts, TX-9, TX-15, TX-23, TX-28, TX-34 and TX-35, have received particular attention. All six have majority-Hispanic eligible-voter populations, and several were substantially altered during the 2025 redistricting process. Their outcomes could reshape Texas' congressional delegation and federal relationships involving ports, border commerce, defense, energy, transportation and infrastructure.

Nationally, control of both chambers remains unsettled. All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are being contested, and Senate races once considered relatively secure have become competitive in states including Texas, Iowa, Kansas and Alaska. More than 52 million Americans had already cast ballots by Sunday, a midterm record. The composition of Congress will directly affect federal taxes, trade, tariffs, immigration, energy, health care, artificial intelligence, spending and congressional oversight.

Business Significance

Nonpartisan civic engagement is about access, information and participation, not outcomes.

Businesses can help ensure that employees and communities have reliable information and a fair opportunity to participate while leaving every individual free to make their own political choices.

Business leaders can:

• Give employees reasonable flexibility to vote. Review scheduling practices so employees have sufficient opportunity to participate without unnecessary workplace disruption.
• Share only authoritative election information. Direct employees and customers to official state and county election resources for voting locations, hours, identification requirements and ballot information.
• Remind employees to make a voting plan. Neutral communications can encourage people to determine when and where they will vote and what information they may need before going to the polls.
• Make workplace policies clear. Ensure employees understand company policies related to voting time, scheduling and political activity in the workplace.
• Reduce logistical barriers where appropriate. Employers may consider flexible shifts, adjusted meeting schedules or other neutral accommodations that make participation easier for all eligible employees.
• Avoid partisan cues. Civic communications should not contain candidate names, party branding, endorsements, partisan slogans or language that could reasonably be interpreted as steering employees toward a particular political outcome.
• Share information about the offices on the ballot. Businesses can explain, in neutral terms, what elected offices are responsible for and how those institutions interact with issues such as infrastructure, workforce development, taxation, courts, energy and economic development.
• Encourage informed participation. Point employees toward official sample ballots and credible nonpartisan sources so individuals can research candidates and issues for themselves.
• Correct misinformation carefully. When inaccurate procedural information is circulating, rely on election administrators or other authoritative sources rather than social media commentary.
• Model respectful civic culture. Leadership can reinforce that employees may hold different political views while still sharing a common interest in accurate information, respectful dialogue and functioning public institutions.

Texas Business Leader Alliance News Clips

Health insurance costs rising for small businesses

October 29, 2026
Experts are predicting employers across the country will see premiums jump 14%. Texas will eclipse the national average with a 16.88% premium increase in 2027.Spectrum1 El Paso

Rick Perry loses reelection to board of Fermi, the data center company he co-founded

October 30, 2026
Fermi, which has ambitions to become the largest data center and power generation campus in the U.S., has had a tumultuous first couple years – from quickly garnering massive industry hype and going public within six months, to a turbulent ownership battle and struggle to find a major tenant that has sent company stocks toppling by more than 90% from its peak price. Texas Tribune

Opinion: US business leaders want stable elections, right?

October 28, 2026

When you have really critical moments for society, you need all sectors involved, including business, even though Americans love to hate and love business for different reasons. CEOs, for instance, remain one of the most trusted voices for their employees.Reuters

Upcoming  Events and Conferences

• November 5 - Governor’s Small Business Summit - Midlothian
• November 19-20 - Fort Bend Regional Partnership Legislative Conference

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Sharon Watkins Jones

TBLA Senior Advisor

sharon@txbizleaderalliance.org