Voters in largest Texas county say Texas, country heading in wrong direction

(The Center Square) – A new poll of registered voters in Texas’ largest county indicates that the majority of voters think the U.S. and Texas are heading in the wrong direction.

Republicans in key races are also trailing in polls in the county by wider margins than in previous elections, according to a new poll conducted by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs.

It surveyed voters in Harris County who disproportionately influence elections in the state because of its population size and the greatest number of registered voters. The county also has more state representatives and members of Congress than other counties in the state.

As the largest county in Texas and the third most populous county in the country, Harris County has long been considered a bellwether for Texas politics.

Its population surpassed five million in 2025 and is greater than the populations of 26 states. Its population increased by nearly 25% since 2010 with most new residents moving to Houston, the county seat.

Houston is the largest city in Texas with a population of nearly 2.5 million. If it were a state, it would be the 36th largest state in the country. Houston is the fourth largest city in the U.S. and is projected to become the third largest city in less than a decade.