HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As former president Donald Trump wins a 2024 bid for a second term this week, 13 Investigates examines exit poll data that offers insight into why Texas is more Republican-leaning than it was four years ago.

This election year, Trump has made inroads among minority and young voters, according to exit poll data from AP Votecast.

Four years ago, when Trump lost the presidential race to Biden, only 15% of Black men who voted in Texas voted for Trump, according to exit poll data. The share of Black male voters voting for Trump this year increased to 34%.

Trump’s popularity has also increased among Latino voters in Texas. While only 38 percent of Latino men who voted in Texas four years ago voted for Trump, this year the rate was 53 percent.

When it comes to Latina women, AP Votecast exit poll data shows 36% of Texans in that demographic voted for Trump in 2020, compared to 48% this year.

Trump’s popularity among young Texas voters has also increased. Only 35% of voters ages 18-29 voted for Trump in 2020. This year, this rate increased to 51 percent.

Among Texas voters, Trump had a 27-point lead among young men.

Four years ago, 33% of male voters under 30 in Texas voted for Trump in 2020. Exit poll data shows that close to 60% of young male voters voted for Trump this year.

Trump also made gains in Texas, despite Democrats relying on abortion to drive young women to the polls. Only 38% of young female Texas voters voted for Trump in 2020; this rate increased to 45% this year.

The economy and jobs were top issues for Texas voters when it came to both Trump and Democratic nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nearly half, or 47 percent, of Trump voters in Texas said the economy and jobs were the most important issue, while 37 percent of Trump voters said immigration was the most important issue.

While 32% of Harris voters in Texas said the economy and jobs were the most important issue, abortion came in second, and only 22% of Harris supporters said it was the most important issue.

While some political ads this election cycle have centered around abortion, exit poll data shows that is not a big factor among Texas voters.

Only 61 percent of Trump supporters in Texas said abortion policy had an impact on who they support.

Exit poll data shows that nearly a third of Trump supporters in Texas think a woman who doesn’t want to get pregnant for any reason should have an abortion. 85 percent of Texas Trump supporters think abortion should be legal if the woman’s health is at risk.

The economy is a top issue among both Trump and Harris supporters. Exit poll data found that 65% of Texas voters who described themselves as financially ahead supported Harris, while 68% of Texans who said they were financially behind supported Trump.

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