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2024 Texas Elections

Eight Texas independent voters share how they're sizing up the candidates heading into November

Among independents, men lean toward Trump and women to Harris, according to polling. We talk to independents about the candidates they favor and the issues that matter to them.


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Despite a distaste for politics and politicians, Bryan resident Joanne Kropp has every intention of voting in November. Kropp believes every voter should cast their ballot come election day and, “ You don’t get to complain if you don’t vote.”

Joanne Kropp, 68

Home: Bryan

Occupation: retired

Who did you vote for in 2016? Donald Trump

Who did you vote for in 2020? Donald Trump

Dan O’Grady in his neighborhood at Willowlake Park, on Saturday, August. 31, 2024, in Houston, TX.

Dan O’Grady, 55

Home: Houston

Occupation: financial consultant

Who did you vote for in 2016? Hillary Clinton

Who did you vote for in 2020? Joe Biden

Diane Wright poses for a portrait with her RFK Jr. sign at Rheudasil Park in Flowermound, Texas on Aug. 30, 2024.

Diane Wright, 67

Home: Flower Mound

Occupation: retired

Who did you vote for in 2016: Hillary Clinton

Who did you vote for in 2020: Donald Trump

Stuart Streit, an independent voter focused on the economy and free-market economics, stands in Mueller Lake Park on September 2, 2024.

Stuart Streit, 29

Home: Austin

Occupation: sports blogger

Who did you vote for in 2016? Gary Johnson, Libertarian Party

Who did you vote for in 2020? Joe Biden

Deron Patterson poses for a portrait outside his Dallas home on Aug. 30, 2024. An RFK Jr. sign stil sits outside.

Deron Patterson, 59

Home: Dallas

Occupation: business development in the glass industry

How did you vote in 2016? Hilary Clinton

How did you vote in 2020? Joe Biden

John Fleming at Custom Luxury Pools, his pool designing/building company that shares location with his family-owned pool supply company on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Splendora, TX.

Josh Fleming, 45

Home: Livingston

Occupation: small business owner

Who did you vote for in 2016? Donald Trump

Who did you vote for in 2020? Donald Trump

Travis Ross stands in Stoney Creek Park in Pflugerville, Texas on August 31, 2024.  Frustrated by what he believes is a last-minute switch of candidates that invalidates his vote in the primary, Ross wishes politicians would work together instead of pushing their own agendas.

Travis Ross, 44

Home: Austin

Occupation: auto body technician

Who did you vote for in 2016? Gary Johnson, Libertarian Party candidate

Who did you vote for in 2020? Joe Biden

Paul Knapp outside of Christus Victor Lutheran where he is the visiting sound board operator as his home church, Faith Lutheran Church in Dickinson, is repaired after a fire in 2023 on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in League City, TX.

Paul Knapp, 77

Home: Santa Fe

Occupation: tax prep business owner

Who did you vote for in 2016? Donald Trump

Who did you vote for in 2020? Donald Trump


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