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The 2026 midterms are fast approaching, and with widespread anger over violent crime throughout the county—and Governor Abbott pledging to spend big here—this could be the GOP’s chance to reclaim Harris County, the state’s largest county, which has been solidly blue for nearly a decade.
Abbott recently pledged to pour massive amounts from his campaign war chest into Harris County, and it’s expected to be a major difference-maker. Gary Polland with Texas Conservative Review said: “Resources matter. The Democrats aren’t going to have the resources Republicans have—it’s just not going to happen—because they have other priorities around the country.”
So with so much seemingly going in the Republicans’ favor, what happens if the GOP still isn’t able to pull off a major win here? Polland says that would force some serious soul-searching. “With the advantages it appears we’re going to have, if we aren’t successful, we have to go back to the drawing board, because what we’re doing is not working,” he said.
Overall, though, Polland says he’s cautiously optimistic about the Harris County GOP’s chances in the midterms. He added that the real key to success—in Texas, in Harris County, and nationally—will be making sure voters understand how well the economy is performing under Republican leadership.