A new poll released on Thursday by AARP suggests a competitive U.S. Senate race in Texas, with Democratic state Representative James Talarico currently leading Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. According to the data, Talarico has secured 48 percent of the support among likely voters, while Paxton trails with 44 percent.

While the poll provides a snapshot of voter sentiment, it is important to note that polling data can fluctuate based on methodology and the specific demographic of likely voters surveyed. As of this report, the race remains in its early stages, and neither campaign has released official internal polling to corroborate or challenge these specific figures. The AARP survey focused specifically on the preferences of likely voters, a group that is often difficult to predict in Texas statewide elections.

This poll highlights the potential for a tight contest as both candidates prepare for the upcoming election cycle. The four-point margin falls within the typical margin of error for many statewide polls, meaning the race could be considered statistically close. Voters and political analysts will be watching to see if this trend holds as more polling data becomes available in the coming months.