With early voting ahead of the March 3 primary about to start, Attorney General Ken Paxton is celebrating a new poll showing him with a lead over incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
A Pulse Decision Science survey found that Paxton is polling at 36%, compared with 27% for Cornyn and 15% for U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston. The poll found 22% are still undecided.
The new poll, which signals a likely runoff between the two top Republicans, was released the same day Paxton launched a new ad once again parading his close ties to President Donald Trump, a common theme throughout the Republican primary.
“‘Brave. Strong. Tremendous guy.’ That’s how President Trump describes me,” Paxton said in a news release. “While John Cornyn was supporting the Democrat lawfare to stop President Trump and trying to derail his presidential campaigns, I have been a steadfast supporter of the President and his agenda.”
“The people of Texas have a long memory, and they know all the ways that Cornyn has failed us,” he continued. “There’s a reason that he’s spent over $70 million and is still far behind me in the polls. They know what he’s selling, and they aren’t buying it.”
Cornyn launches statewide tour
While Paxton is going all in on advertising, Cornyn is taking his campaign to cities across the state.
When early voting kicks off Tuesday, Feb. 17, the incumbent Republican senator will start a series of “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV) events beginning in Austin and San Antonio.
Following is a breakdown of other Cornyn stops planned during the early voting period:
The tour marks Cornyn’s final push before the Super Tuesday election.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas Senate race: Ken Paxton leads John Cornyn in new primary poll ahead of early voting
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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