A new poll released Wednesday shows former President Donald Trump and current U.S. Senator Ted Cruz leading their respective Democrat opponents among Texas’ likely voters.
The poll, conducted by the University of Texas and the Texas Politics Project, shows in a five-way ballot Trump holds a nine-point lead—45 percent to 36 percent—over current President Joe Biden. Other candidates on the trial ballot included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein. In a head-to-head contest, Trump holds an eight-point lead over Biden.
Likely Texas voters were also asked about the U.S. Senate Race between Cruz and his Democrat challenger Colin Allred. The results show that Cruz currently leads Allred 46 percent to 33 percent, with seven percent preferring an alternative candidate and 15 percent saying they had no preference.
A previous poll from the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation showed Cruz leading Allred by five percentage points, 46 percent to 41 percent.
In addition, the UT/TPP poll also asked voters for their approval for various Texas officials. Gov. Greg Abbott holds a 55 percent approval rating, with 37 percent disapproving. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick holds a 44 percent approval rating, with 33 percent disapproving. Attorney General Ken Paxton received a 41 percent approval rating with 35 percent disapproving, and House Speaker Dade Phelan only received a 27 percent approval rating, while 30 percent disapproved of the job he has done.
Texas voters were also asked about the most important problem facing the state. Thirty-nine percent of voters responded saying immigration and border security is the top problem facing the state. Fifteen percent said the economy and inflation, and 10 percent responded that political corruption and leadership is the most important problem.
The poll had a margin of error of 2.83 percent.
Election Day is November 5.
