Poll: Texas Gov. Abbott's Lead Over O'Rourke Increases

Half — 50% — of likely voters in Texas back Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, while 42% support Democrat challenger Beto O'Rourke, according to a new Emerson College/The Hill poll.

Abbott had led 52% to O'Rourke's 45% in a February survey by the pollsters.

Here are how the results, released Tuesday, break down:

• 2% say they back libertarian Mark Tippetts.
• 5% say they are undecided.
• 55% say they have a favorable view of Abbott, compared to 43% who say they have a negative opinion of him.
• 44% say they have a favorable opinion of O'Rourke, while 52% say they have a negative view of him.
• 49% say they align with Abbott on the issue of abortion, compared to 44% who align with O'Rourke.
• 58% say they align with Abbott on the issue of border security, while 39% say they align with O'Rourke.
• 56% of Texas voters disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing in the White House, compared to 37% who approve.

The poll, conducted Sept. 20-22, surveyed 1,000 likely voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.02 percentage points.

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