generic 
Texas Governor Abbott Holds Lead Over O’Rourke in New Poll
(Bloomberg) -- Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott is holding his lead over Democrat Beto O’Rourke with nine weeks until the election, a new poll showed.
Most Read from Bloomberg
Texas Judge Says HIV Drug Mandate Violates Religious Freedom
Russia Privately Warns of Deep and Prolonged Economic Damage
India Is Running Out of Weapons to Deter China Due to Modi Order
Abbott, 64, had a lead of 7 percentage points over O’Rourke, 49% to 42%, according to a joint survey by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. A similar poll from July showed Abbott ahead by 5 points.
Recent polls suggest the race is close, but a consistently higher proportion of votes for Abbott, who is seeking a third term.
“At least at the present time, the polls show Abbott will win, but it’s close enough that something could change,” said pollster Mark Jones.
O’Rourke, 49, is a former US congressman. His campaign appeared to pick up momentum in the summer after recent events, including the Uvalde massacre and the US Supreme Court overturning the nationwide right to an abortion. Yet the surveys show the Democrat has been unable to further close the gap with Abbott, with today’s poll indicating O’Rourke has even lost a little ground in the past two months.
The two will face off in an in-person debate on Sept. 30 in South Texas. So far, the Friday evening debate is the only one that both Abbott and O’Rourke have agreed on.
O’Rourke has centered his campaign on fixing the electric grid that failed last year during winter storm Uri, restoring abortion rights and tightening gun laws. Abbott, on the other hand, has focused his campaign on border security.
Also on Nov. 8, Texans will get to vote for statewide and local candidates up and down the ballot. A closer statewide election appears to be the attorney general race. Incumbent Ken Paxton, who has been hounded by personal legal scandals throughout his tenure, has 45% of the vote; Democrat Rochelle Garza has 42%.
The poll of 1,312 likely voters was conducted Aug. 11 to Aug. 29 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
What a Rocket Startup That Helped Create the ‘New Space’ Wave Leaves Behind
How a Sparkling Water Company Built a Brand on Bruised Fruit
Women Who Stay Single and Don’t Have Kids Are Getting Richer
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.
