Poll: Gov. Abbott leads Valdez 58-39 among likely voters

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new poll of likely voters from Quinnipiac University shows Republican Gov. Greg Abbott leads his Democratic challenger, former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, by 19 points.

The poll noted a “wide racial gap” in the Texas governor’s race. Gov. Abbott, who was elected in 2014, leads Valdez among white voters by 69-28 percent, while Valdez leads 83-16 percent among black voters.

Hispanic voters are divided in the race: with 49 percent for Abbott and 45 percent for Valdez.

• Abbott and Valdez agree to debate hosted by KXAN’s parent company on Sept. 28

“Gov. Greg Abbott is highly regarded by Texas voters and appears on the way to a landslide reelection,” said Peter A. Brown, the assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

Sixty-two percent of Texas likely voters think Abbott is doing a good job as governor, compared to 34 percent who disapprove. 

Valdez’s favorability rating is split 28-28 percent, with a whopping 42 percent of surveyed voters saying they don’t know enough to form an opinion of her.

Abbott, Valdez Quinnipiac Poll on Scribd