Poll: Cornyn Holds Steady Lead Despite Democrats' Texas Push

Democrats' push to turn Texas into a swing state are having little effect on the state's senior senator, John Cornyn, who holds a handy lead over all challengers in a new poll.

Cornyn holds at least a 7 percent lead over possible Democratic challengers who include the left's new heroine, state Sen. Wendy Davis as well as former Houston Mayor Bill White, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and current Houston Mayor Annise Parker, a Public Policy Polling survey shows.

Davis, who successfully filibustered the state's attempt to limit abortions was more popular than either Parker or Castro in a head-to-head race with Cornyn, but slightly less popular than White.

But even though Cornyn is well placed for re-election next year, both he and fellow Republican Sen. Ted Cruz barely received net favorable ratings. Cornyn's was 36 percent favorable and 33 not favorable, and Cruz' came in at 42 percent favorable to 36 percent not.

"John Cornyn really hasn’t made much of an impression on Texas voters, but the Republican lean of the state still makes him a clear favorite for reelection," said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.

Cruz comes out ahead when it comes to Texans' choice for potential GOP presidential candidates for 2016, the poll of 500 registered voters in the Lone Star State revealed.

Cruz took 27 percent of the responses, Gov. Rick Perry took 18 percent, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush got 15 percent, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul tied with 11 percent. each.

Democrats believe that they can close the gap in Texas — which hasn't elected a Democrat to statewide office in nearly two decades. And the PPP poll gives them some hope, showing Texans mirror many liberal sentiments

It showed 63 percent of those polled believe gay couples should either be allowed to marry or form civil partnerships and 75 percent think employers should not be able to discriminate on sexual orientation; 54 percent supported the Voting Rights Act; and 72 percent support  background checks for all gun sales, including from gun sales and online.

However when it came to allowing gay marriage in Texas itself, 57 percent said no, with just 34 percent saying yes.