Attorney General Greg Abbott (right) will face the controversial State Senator Wendy Davis (left) in the Texas governor race.
Democrat Wendy Davis took a huge risk with a widely condemned ad attacking her wheelchair-bound opponent for alleged hypocrisy and not supporting the disabled. As is often the case with such tactics of desperation, it didn’t work. Davis is now failing to earn even a third of the vote in the Texas governor race.
A new survey of the Texas gubernatorial contest found Republican Greg Abbott leading Davis 47 percent to 32 percent among likely voters, with 15 percent of voters still undecided. The poll, which was conducted for KHOU-TV and Houston Public Media, showed Green Party candidates Brandon Parmer receiving 1.4 percent and Libertarian Kathie Glass just .7 percent, while roughly 2 percent of voters wouldn’t say who they’re supporting.
Abbott refused to respond in kind to the ad, stating that he has run a campaign that is focused on moving the state of Texas forward.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, Republican Dan Patrick is also enjoying a double-digit lead over his Democratic opponent, Leticia Van de Putte. Third party candidates have failed to gain traction in The Lone Star State, and Libertarian Robert Butler had just 1.8 percent support in the lieutenant governor race, with Green Party candidate Chandrakantha Courtney polling at just .9 percent.
Democrats had hoped Letica Van de Putte would bring Hispanics to the polls and boost Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, but that’s not coming to fruition. Over a third of Hispanics in the poll said they aren’t sure who they are supporting and, in fact, as we’ve previously examined, Hispanics in Texas are going against the national trend. Over the past decade, the number of Hispanics who identify as Republicans has increased while the number identifying with Democrats has decreased.
Abbott has continued to build on past Republican efforts to reach out to Hispanic voters, particularly in Hidalgo County and other southern, Hispanic-vote rich regions of the state. PPD’s 2014 Governor Map Predictions model has always rated the Texas governor race Safe Republican.
| Poll | Date | Sample | MoE | Abbott (R) | Davis (D) | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPD Average | 9/11 – 10/16 | — | — | 50.3 | 38.0 | Abbott +12.3 |
| KHOU/Houston Public Media | 9/22 – 10/16 | 781 LV | 3.5 | 47 | 32 | Abbott +15 |
| Rasmussen Reports | 10/1 – 10/2 | 840 LV | 3.5 | 51 | 40 | Abbott +11 |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | 9/20 – 10/1 | 4177 LV | 2.0 | 54 | 40 | Abbott +14 |
| Texas Lyceum* | 9/11 – 9/25 | 666 LV | 3.8 | 49 | 40 | Abbott +9 |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | 8/18 – 9/2 | 4189 LV | 2.0 | 56 | 38 | Abbott +18 |
| Rasmussen Reports | 8/4 – 8/5 | 850 LV | 3.5 | 48 | 40 | Abbott +8 |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | 7/5 – 7/24 | 4320 RV | — | 54 | 37 | Abbott +17 |
| UT/Texas Tribune* | 5/30 – 6/8 | 1200 RV | 2.8 | 44 | 32 | Abbott +12 |
| PPP (D) | 4/10 – 4/13 | 559 RV | 4.1 | 51 | 37 | Abbott +14 |
| Rasmussen Reports | 3/3 – 3/4 | 500 LV | 4.5 | 53 | 41 | Abbott +12 |
| UT/Texas Tribune | 2/7 – 2/17 | 1200 RV | 2.8 | 47 | 36 | Abbott +11 |
| PPP (D) | 11/1 – 11/4 | 500 RV | 4.4 | 50 | 35 | Abbott +15 |
| UT/Texas Tribune | 10/18 – 10/27 | 1200 RV | 2.8 | 40 | 34 | Abbott +6 |
| Texas Lyceum | 9/6 – 9/20 | 798 RV | 3.5 | 29 | 21 | Abbott +8 |
| PPP (D) | 6/28 – 7/1 | 500 RV | 4.4 | 48 | 40 | Abbott +8 |
| PPP (D) | 1/24 – 1/27 | 500 RV | 4.4 | 46 | 34 | Abbott +12 |
cecil howard / October 20, 2014
I hope all you libs out there understand texas bleeds red white and blue. I hope you injoy your butt kiking. As a 100 percent vet who fought for this countrys freedom oboma was your wost nightmare. We concervates are taking our country back. Also houston mayor dummy parker was next nighmare libs I have 3 words for you kiss my ass.
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cecil howard / October 20, 2014
Libs are you out ther? Hy moms against guns l think you have left your kids at the computer playing war games. You are out there with d u mb ass blubburg liking your ego guys open carry is comiing get over it you make me sick. One day you may need our help when a bad guy sticks a gun in your face part of me just wants to walk a way. Also cops who dont want open carry its a ego thing it takes some of your powers away
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arc 313 / October 20, 2014
This state need to turn blue maybe things will change in the state. we need to bring
up the minimum wage we need to do something about the health care Wendy Davis for the new governor
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cecil howard / October 21, 2014
As always libs show how stuped they are. If you are not making the money why dont you find another job or go back to school or are you not smart to go to collage. The role of the goverment is not a employer. Thy create jobs also I guessing you like killing baby’s remember this its not a right in the constltution for abortion. The right to bear arms is. Got it wendy is full of oboma crap
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TexasOiler / October 22, 2014
I’m conservative but Christ man, if you’re going to call someone stupid, please spell it correctly!
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Curt Miles / October 21, 2014
Wendy Davis, is comparable to one of those life sucking aliens from the movie Independence day. She sucks all the resources out of everyplace she goes and then moves on to the next vulnerable place. Only this time, she screwed up, not just because of Texas, but because Texas is widely populated by people from ALL states. And those same people, love this nation and respect what it was founded on. As for Wendy Davis, well Buh Bye
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cecil howard / October 21, 2014
I like what you said. Libs just dont get it. Wendy davis omoma dont understand it is we the people not wendy davis. And our dumb ass oboma. you know most blacks vote stuped. Why is ms lee keep getting elected. I tell it like it is. I love my country. I would fight for it again. My mens blood in the army will not go invain. god bless tezas.
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Plowboy87 / October 21, 2014
Desperate actions from a totally unqualified candidate. Sit down Wendy and let’s roll with Greg. Greg Abbott the clear choice for the next Governor of the Great State of Texas.
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cecil howard / October 22, 2014
It seems libs dont have the guts to post comments on dumb ass wendy davis. We concervates this time will get in your face and tell you to get back on the bus an shut the hell up. This time wd are standind up for freedom.I will never forget the men I lost in nam. Their. Blood was shed for freedom. And another thing libs dont tell me thank you for your service. I dont want someone like you who kills babys un born.suck on wendys breast.
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TexasOiler / October 22, 2014
Simmer down, they’ll see what it’s all about on the 4th.
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