Abbott pulling further ahead in Texas governor's race: Poll
![Greg Abbott.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g7DJj9p6UoAjKTebx4L8fY-415-80.jpg)
The Texas governor's race is widening still, according to a new Spectrum News/Siena College poll released Thursday, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Per the survey, incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is pulling further ahead of Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke, who has long been considered the underdog of the race.
"Gov. Abbott, who won a landslide 13-point race against Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez four years ago, has a 7-point lead with over six weeks until Election Day," said Siena College Research Institute Director Don Levy, per the Chronicle. Abbott is up 50-43 over O'Rourke, the poll indicated.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Abbott has the support of 95 percent of Republicans, and O'Rourke has the support of 93 percent of Democrats, while independents tilt toward Abbott by one point," Levy continued.
The survey also suggested Texas voters may be more concerned about immigration than abortion, the marquee issue du jour. Roughly 31 percent of those surveyed cited immigration as their top concern ahead of the election, while just 22 percent mentioned abortion, per the Chronicle. Those numbers "evened out," however, when respondents were asked to rank their top two issues.
Otherwise, Texans are most concerned about the economy and inflation.
The new survey notably arrives in the wake of the controversy surrounding Abbott's continued relocation of migrants, whom he's bused from Texas border towns to Washington, D.C., and other cities in protest of President Biden's immigration policies.
Spectrum News and Siena College surveyed 651 likely Texas voters from Sept. 14-18, 2022. Results have a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
When families cross the aisle against presidential candidates
In The Spotlight Tim Walz's cousins, Donald Trump's niece and nephew, RFK Jr.'s siblings: When it comes to running for office, blood is not necessarily thicker than water
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Boeing's Starliner to come home empty
Speed Read Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore will return on a SpaceX spacecraft in February
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hunter Biden pleads guilty to tax charges
Speed Read In an unexpected move, President Joe Biden's son pleads guilty to tax fraud and avoids a trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
North Korea to begin admitting foreign tourists (again)
Under the Radar For the first time in five years, the isolated dictatorship is inviting large groups to visit the city of Samjiyon — and possibly beyond
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine reports large gains in Russia's Kursk region
Speed Read Ukraine pushed further into Russian territory and now commands a striking 390 square miles, embarrassing the Kremlin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The future for Hamas under Yahya Sinwar
The Explainer Choosing hardline 'butcher' as political leader signals Gaza as centre of group's power, but imperils ceasefire negotiations
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Large Sudan displaced people camp 'in famine'
Speed Read Global hunger experts have made an official declaration of famine for more than half a million people in North Darfur
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Fears of all-out war grow after Golan Heights strike
Speed Read Tensions are escalating between Israel and Hezbollah
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
ICJ ruling: will 'damning verdict' stop Netanyahu?
Talking Points The UN's top court has ruled Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories breaks international law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published