Weekly News Summary 

Monday, October 26, 2026

Early voting runs through October 30.

ELECTION DAY is November 3rd.

Texas enters the final full week before Election Day with extraordinary voter participation, unprecedented campaign spending and a policy environment that could shift meaningfully after November 3.

Early voting is now underway across Texas, and several counties reported record first-day midterm turnout, including Harris, Dallas, Montgomery, Ellis, Bell and McLennan counties. 

Texas also enters the election with a record more than 19 million registered voters, up 7.7% from the 2022 midterm election. Some of the fastest registration growth since 2022 has occurred in suburban counties, including Kaufman, Waller, Ellis and Hays.

WHAT TEXAS BUSINESS LEADERS SHOULD MONITOR THIS WEEK

ELECTION ACTIVITY

The U.S. Senate contest between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has become the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history, with advertising expenditures exceeding $500 million. Republicans have responded to close polling with an extraordinary infusion of outside spending, while Talarico has relied heavily on direct fundraising and small-dollar contributions. Recent public polling continues to show a close race, but polls remain snapshots of specific electorates and methodologies rather than predictions.

Nationally, the November 3 election will determine control of Congress. Republicans currently hold a 218-214 House advantage and a 53-47 Senate majority. Democrats would have to gain four seats in either chamber to take control. 

The statewide ballot extends well beyond the Senate contest. The broader Texas ballot also remains highly consequential to business. Voters will select a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, Railroad Commissioner, members of Congress and the Legislature, and judges including seats on the Texas Supreme Court and 15th Court of Appeals.

Business Significance

For employers and chambers, an appropriate focus is on:

• understanding which offices are being elected;
• knowing how those offices affect the business environment;
• distinguishing official election information from campaign communications;
• maintaining clear internal policies regarding political activity; and
• preparing for potential policy changes following November.

Non partisan communication about the election should:

• distinguish official information from campaign material;
• verify dates and requirements against state or county sources;
• avoid interpreting turnout data as election results;
• keep candidate advocacy separate from nonpartisan civic information; and
• ensure an understanding of organizational policies governing political activity.

Remaining Key Election Dates

Texas Business Leader Alliance News Clips

Texas Comptroller announces executive order barring proof of COVID vaccination for businesses

October 21, 2026
The Office of the Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has issued an executive order barring any business that demands proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery from its customers from receiving a Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts contract or grant.ABC7 NEWS

Company tied to mystery Texas mailers losing its Wyoming registered agent

October 22, 2026
The company behind mysterious Texas political mailers is losing its registered agent in Wyoming.  WFAA Dallas

Did redistricting change your congressional district?

October 21, 2026

If your congressional race looks unfamiliar this year, the explanation may be a new district boundary rather than a change to your voter registration Here’s how to check if a new map changed your congressional district for the 2026 ballot.NBC2 Houston

Upcoming  Events and Conferences

• November 5 - Governor’s Small Business Summit - Midlothian

Sign Up for Texas Business Leader Alliance News Clips and Legislative Updates