Gov. Greg Abbott (R) leads Democratic challenger Beto O’ Rourke, 45%-39%, in the latest UT-Tyler/Dallas Morning News poll (pdf).
Abbott’s job approval rating is 49/41, which is lifted by his 88/14 rating among Republicans. Independents are on balance negative, giving his a 39/50 rating. All three of those ratings are better than those for O’Rourke. His favorability rating overall is 37/42. Democrats view him favorably (74/9) but not as favorably as Republicans view Abbott. Among independents, O’Rourke rates 28/44.
More than 8 out of 10 respondents are “likely” (16%) or “certain to vote” (68%) in the March primaries, which would be extraordinary if it occurred. Even seven out of 10 independents said they would vote in primary elections. Abbott has the support of 65% of Republican primary voters, while none of his rivals are above 6%. Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R) leads Land Comm. George P. Bush (R), 46%-32%, while former Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman (R) polls at 7%.
More respondents would “be likely to support” actor Matthew McConaughey than Abbott (43%-35%) or O’Rourke (49%-27%). Yet, if he ran as a third-party candidate, he would poll behind Abbott (37%) and within the margin of error of O’Rourke (27%).
HD6 (Safe R): Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) announced he will seek re-election, foregoing a potential race for Congress should U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) challenge Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R).
HD13 open (Safe R): Former Limestone Co. Sheriff Dennis Wilson (R) filed for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ben Leman (R-Iola). Wilson served five terms as sheriff before retiring in 2020.
HD51 open (Safe D): Austin real estate agent Claire I. O’Neal established a campaign committee for a potential run, likely as a Democrat, for the seat being vacated by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin).
HD57 open (Likely R): Ponder Mayor Matthew Poole filed as a Republican for this newly drawn open seat in Denton Co. Poole served on the council for three years before being elected mayor in 2019.
HD84 open (Likely R): Lubbock resident Cheryl A. Little and Lubbock digital marketer Kade Wilcox established campaign committees for potential runs, likely as Republicans, for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Frullo (R-Lubbock).
CD30 open (Safe D): Dallas Democratic activist Jane Hope Hamilton launched her campaign to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas).
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