PPP's new Texas poll finds that Ted Cruz has become unpopular in the state, and he
could be in trouble for winning the Republican nomination in 2018. Overall only 39% of voters
in the state approve of the job Cruz is doing, to 48% who disapprove. It was already clear
from national polling that Donald Trump had come out ahead in his feud at the GOP convention
with Cruz, but we find that even in Texas 52% of Republicans now say that they prefer Trump
as their nominee this year to only 38% who would go with Cruz.
The skirmish with Trump seems to be contributing to an overall weakening of Cruz's position
with Republicans in the state. Only 50% of GOP voters say they'd like Cruz to be their Senate
candidate again in 2 years, to 43% who say they would prefer someone else. He hovers right
around that 50% mark in hypothetical match ups against both Michael McCaul (51/19) and Dan Patrick
(49/27). Against Rick Perry though, who shares Cruz's universal name recognition, Cruz
faces a 9 point deficit at 46/37.
Texans down on Cruz