A new poll released by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project shows Republicans at the top of the ballot leading their Democrat opponents. Both former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz are up in the polls among Texas voters.
The poll was conducted between October 2 and October 10 and interviewed 1,200 registered Texas voters. The margin of error is 2.38 percent.
Trump and his vice presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, currently hold a five-point lead (51 percent to 46 percent) over Vice President Kamala Harris and her vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
Among registered voters, 51 percent said they would vote for Cruz, whereas 44 percent preferred his challenger, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred.
Registered voters said they had a 48 percent favorability rating for Trump and a 45 percent favorability rating for Cruz. By comparison, Harris earned 43 percent favorability, and Allred received 38 percent.
Voters said the country’s top issue is inflation and rising prices (17 percent), while 16 percent said the economy and 13 percent said immigration.
Voters also said the most important problem facing Texas is immigration, at 17 percent. Others said border security and inflation at 14 percent, and 9 percent said political corruption/leadership.
The poll also asked voters about the performance of various Texas elected officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont).
Among statewide officials, Abbott received a 51 percent approval rating, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earned a 39 percent approval rating, and Attorney General Ken Paxton got 36 percent approval. Phelan’s approval rating was 21 percent, with 28 percent disapproving.
Early voting is ongoing now through November 1. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.
