TX-Sen, TX-Gov: Republicans Post Early Leads in Senate Race; Hutchison Steamrolling Perry

[ccharles000]

Our friends at Public Policy Polling have a pair of new Texas polls out this week. Let's have a look.
First, the presumably open seat Senate race (2/18-20, registered voters):


John Sharp (D): 36
David Dewhurst (R): 42
Undecided: 22
John Sharp (D): 36
Greg Abbott (R): 44
Undecided: 19

John Sharp (D): 37
Florence Shapiro (R): 36
Undecided: 29

Bill White (D): 37
David Dewhurst (R): 42
Undecided: 21

Bill White (D): 36
Greg Abbott (R): 42
Undecided: 22

Bill White (D): 36
Florence Shapiro (R): 37
Undecided: 27
(MoE: ±2.6%)

Need a scorecard? Here you go:


Former state Comptroller John Sharp
Houston Mayor Bill White
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Attorney General Greg Abbott
State Senator Florence Shapiro (Dallas/Fort Worth area)

Lots of numbers here, but unfortunately, all of this information may not be of much use to us at this point for a number of reasons: 1) Neither Abbott nor Dewhurst have announced their intentions to run, but also; 2) Assuming Hutchison resigns and a special election occurs, we'll be first have to deal with a massive jungle-type primary with potentially dozens of candidates (Democrat, Republican, and freakazoid alike) throwing their ten-gallon hats into the pen. The top two will then advance to a run-off, so the events that lead us there could easily throw us all for a loop.

However, the immediate takeaway is that White and Sharp start off on nearly equal footing -- their favorability ratings are a rough match (33-25 for Sharp and 31-26 for White), but both also have the most room to grow in this field in terms of name recognition -- a little over 40% of voters don't know diddly about either man, while Abbott and Dewhurst are known to 68% and 73% of respondents, respectively. (Unsurprisingly, though, Shapiro leads on this score with a 48% "not sure" rating.)

Oh, and speaking of that brewing gubernatorial primary battle... Hutchison is creaming Perry (2/18-20, likely GOP primary voters):


Kay Bailey Hutchison (R): 56
Rick Perry (R-inc): 31
Undecided: 13
(MoE: ±3.5%)
Things are looking pretty grim for Perr-Perr, though who knows how nasty this primary could get.


http://www.swingstateproject.com

[Ilsa]

1. Let's hope it gets really bloody! nt

[Captain Hilts]

2. Not a contest. Don't let the kids watch. She's still pissed over being passed over for Palin.

And KBH knows GWB is a lazy ass.

[Pirate Smile]

3. I'm so looking forward to the Republican on Republican primary battles - 3 of them look promising.

Hutchison v. Perry - TX Gov
Bunning v. whoever - KY Sen
Sununu v. Smith - NH Sen

:)

[Wickerman]

4. Oh, Kay and RIcky duking it out

Put that shit on Pay Per View; its gonna be bloody and to the death. Both such scum buckets ought to be great.