Six Republican governorsMike Dunleavy of Alaska, Brian Kemp of Georgia, Brad Little of Idaho, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Bill Lee of Tennessee, and Greg Abbott of Texashave fallen below 35% for management of the pandemic in their states. Another former Republican lawmaker and a lobbyist involved with the bill confirmed Cooks version of events. Do you approve of the job President Trump is doing? Republican Gov. When he ran for governor the first time, in 2014, he appealed to traditional conservative causes such as education, ethics reform, low taxes and border spending. Trump Approval Rating. Abbott greets supporters at the event on the grounds of the Alamo in San Antonio. His dominance of Texas politics comes not so much from any vision he has laid out hes largely abandoned some his early, more moderate priorities like expanding pre-K but from a shrewd political strategy that has helped him weave together a coalition of Trump fans, never-Trumpers and centrists in Texas. Greg Abbott still leads Beto ORourke, new poll shows, call a special session on curbing mass shootings, 63% dont think elected officials are doing enough to stop mass shootings, May 24 massacre of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texans should watch their wallets: Power grid report approved without public input, the November race for Texas attorney general. Greg Abbott says no, Pricey gas, taxes, insurance: Why 63% of Texans feel more financial stress, Texans largely support Abbotts border policies but split on Texas-Mexico wall, poll shows, What Texans say about Abbotts order for CPS to investigate families with trans kids, Most Texans do not want Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, new poll shows, Texas Gov. It complicates his ability to campaign and travel. Abbott persevered through several rounds of that, says James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas. Abbott issued the command seven days before the March 1 GOP primary election in which he was accused of not being conservative enough. The gun law hadnt been Abbotts idea in fact, for months, he had avoided saying whether he supported it. The states direction is one reason to support Abbott, said Zoe Christiansen of Dallas, a 29-year-old who works in the supply chain business and participated in the poll. There is no way to sugar-coat it, says Ed Espinoza, executive director of Progress Texas, a progressive media group. Cook, who did not seek reelection in 2018, argues the bills failure made it easier for large tech companies to move into Texas in recent years. I pointed out that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had sued to overturn election results in other states. Texas Voters Have Soured On Greg Abbott, But That Doesn't Mean They'll Vote For Beto O'Rourke . . Dan Patrick, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan and the head of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre. The margin of error for a sample of 972 registered voters in Texas is +/- 2.6 percentage points, and the more conservative margin of sampling error that includes design effects from this poll is +/- 2.8 percentage points for a 95% confidence interval. When I asked Abbott in June where he fits on the ideological spectrum of the modern Republican Party, he avoided pinning himself down. But Stephen Willeford, who was feted at the event for disrupting the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history with his AR-15, was still holding out judgment. These are tough times, said Owens, the pollster. Texas governor Greg Abbott is trailing Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey in a new opinion poll. Marist Texas Poll. A majority of voters 56% to 43% also say Texas is headed in the wrong direction under Abbotts leadership. Do you want someone who will go into the arena and fight for you? Or do you want someone who will take the weaker path?. The Texas Politics Project just released the results of a March poll developed in conjunction with a team of researchers at the UT Energy Institute that asked dozens of questions about Texans experience during the winter storm, their attitudes toward causes and consequences of the storm, their views of, and expectations about, possible policy responses, and their views of how a wide range of actors from their neighbors and utility providers to state political leaders, regulatory bodies, and corporate actors. Poll participant and Republican voter Kevin Culp, 60, of Rowlett said hes delighted Abbott has sent state National Guard troops to the border. Abbotts most memorable line about getting up every day to sue the Obama administration is almost a decade old now, from his days as Texas attorney general. The 5-point margin used to be unchanged because the pollsters remaining requested the query in April 2022, however the political panorama has shifted considerably since then. Stitt and Abbott also dove under 35% for voters' approval of how they manage their states. In one sense, it was strange the event was happening at all. Lt. Gov. While Biden remains deeply unpopular in Texas, with just 39% of voters approving of the job hes doing, and 58% disapproving, the poll shows slight erosion for Abbott and state Republicans. U.S. Beto O'Rourke Greg Abbott Texas Governor. He referred to how the poll found Texans feel stressed over their finances. . The mixed-mode sample includes 412 registered voters surveyed over the phone by the University of Texas at Tyler with support from ReconMR, and 400 registered voters randomly selected from Dynatas panel of online respondents. When we spoke in June, he talked about focusing on bread-and-butter fundamental issues and creating an environment where any Texan has the ability to get a job a far cry from the issues he has promoted this summer. Though Democratic critics dismiss Abbotts escalating set of border security tactics as a political stunt, UT-Tyler political scientist Mark Owens said the two-term Republicans doggedness is paying some electoral dividends. . His opportunity voters are young voters, are voters of color, are women who have been horrified by the attacks on abortion access and reproductive rights, Brooks said. Now a poll from The Dallas Morning News and University of Texas at Tyler shows that McConaughey as a . Its kind of like dealing with Sasquatch, Miller, a Trump ally who protested Abbotts pandemic restrictions last year, told me in his taxidermy-filled office. Respondents were asked, "How would you rate the job Greg Abbott is doing as Governor? Greg Abbott Job Approval: Public Education (February 2022) Support or Oppose: Requiring public school students and staff to wear masks when on campus (October 2021) At the moment, though, Democrats arent posing much of a threat. to have a huge impact on Abbott's approval rating in . With Trump's endorsement, Abbott has subdued threats from his right ahead of the 2022 primary. But a 47-45 plurality opposes using state funds to extend the border wall begun by former President Donald Trump. Greg Abbott was making headlines for a controversial . The growing unease crossed all party and racial-ethnic categories. Abbott (ABT) closed at $102.63 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.79% move from the prior day. Its a booming economy and more people are moving here than leaving here, she said. In other poll findings, Abbott's approval rating declined slightly, with 46% of voters approving his job performance and 43% disapproving. Mr Biden's approval rating sits at only 41 per cent, a recent Gallup poll showed. On the states beleaguered foster care system, now a staple of Democratic candidate for governor Beto ORourkes stump speeches, voters by 60% to 39% lack confidence in state governments oversight. Is Dallas becoming unaffordable due to rising housing costs, inflation and stagnating pay? The governor just called a second special session after Democrats brought the first one to a halt by leaving the state to take up the voting reform bill, as well as a bill that would dictate which sports teams transgender kids could play on and another bill banning critical race theory in schools, even though similar legislation passed during the regular session. Greg Abbott has thrown his weight in the back of the proposal and is touring the state to pitch oldsters on it, in particular in rural communities. ORourke beat Abbott in one category: 37% thought he would do a better job of bringing people together, compared with 32% for Abbott. Texas Republican Gov. TEXAS As Texas Gov. Some party insiders are pinning their hopes on Beto ORourke, arguing he is the only Democrat who could match Abbotts fundraising abilities; in the 2018 U.S. Senate race, Abbotts campaign handled voter mobilization efforts for Senator Ted Cruz, propelling his victory over ORourke. He seems to be spending a lot of time preparing to run for president.. He is known to clock in long hours surrounded by a tight and loyal staff who help him plot every move, from his wardrobe disaster casual is whats on his schedule after storms to minute-by-minute scheduling of events and even downtime. Greg Abbott's (R) job performance rating has fallen sharply, according to a new poll that shows a majority of Texans now disapprove of him. In a state that has a history of larger-than-life political characters, the two-term Texas governor is a ruthless backstage operator, taking no uncalculated risks, figuring out how to keep donors happy and lawmakers in line, deflecting blame for crises, maintaining a massive field operation and maneuvering among the states disparate GOP factions. Texans are narrowly divided over Abbotts orders for Child Protective Services to investigate families who provide gender-affirming care to transgender children. Building the wall in Texas, Abbott said, holding up the letter to the cameras, has officially begun. Abbott appeared to be searching for a dramatic moment. The Hollywood star has hinted that he may run for the state's highest office in 2022 and has even called it "an honest consideration.". Abbotts wife, Cecilia, whom he met when they shared a dorm at the University of Texas, is the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants. Would you say that you" Community type is based on the following question, " Would you say that you live in an urban, suburban, or rural community?". Texas governor Greg Abbott is believed by many . By Isaac Stanley-Becker. In December, the survey found a 49-41% split. Abbotts political legacy has been formidable. A new poll finds cause for concern for Texas Gov. By Nicole Narea @nicolenarea Feb 11, 2022, 7:30am EST. First, respondents were asked whether they consider themselves to be a Democrats, Republicans, independents, other, or not sure. This month, the GOP edge shrank to 49-48. In February, Republicans enjoyed 52% support for a generic Texas House candidate, compared with just 45% for Democrats. The economy could tank. AUSTIN (Nexstar) A new poll by the University of Texas and Texas Politics Project shows Gov. Mr Trump's endorsement of State Attorney General Ken Paxton wasn't enough to prevent a run-off election against Texas Land Commissioner George P Bush, the grandson of George HW Bush. On another touchy subject high property taxes a plurality of 40% assigns responsibility to Abbott and the GOP-led Legislature. So does Huffines, and so does Prather, Willeford told me when I caught up with him over the phone in late July, to see if he had made up his mind about the primary. This summer, Abbott is leaving nothing to chance in his effort to fend off the challengers and win over the undecideds. You can catch Gromer every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on NBC 5's Lone Star Politics. Some argue it softens his image as a politician. Thank you, Texas! Robert T. Garrett, Austin Bureau Chief. And President Joe Biden's approval rating in the state (33%) is significantly lower than Abbott's approval rating as governor (46%). Theyre split over whether they rate him as favorable or not, at 43%. This month, though, 44% of Roe vs. Wade opponents say they back a six-week ban, 29% favor a cutoff after 15 weeks and 27% are unsure. Nathan Lusk, a 45-year-old who owns a printing business and took the poll, said hes voting for Libertarian candidate Mark Tippetts for governor. In the Texas governor's race, Republican incumbent Governor Greg Abbott has a 4-point edge over Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke among registered voters statewide. Part of that has to do with Abbott's sinking approval rating, which has dropped to 41% in a recent poll . Some moderate Republicans, meanwhile, worry the powerful governor already has swung too far to the right in recent months to appease a small group of vocal voters. In 1984, when Abbott was 26, he and a friend took a break from studying for the Texas bar exam to go for a jog in Houston. Even February's winter storm, which led to about $130 billion in lost output and damage according to one estimate, has barely dented Abbott's approval ratings. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report. An unmasked audience, including grassroots activists and lawmakers families, filled the low-ceilinged, windowless room with the energy of a political rally. They know hes out there, but no one ever sees it., Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who considered challenging Abbott in the governors race but decided to run for reelection himself, says Abbott is kind of a recluse.. According to a new poll from The Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler, Abbott has a 7-point cushion over ORourke, unchanged from a similar survey in May. The latest 'Popularity Above Replacement Governor' scores. The latter is a disappointment for ORourke and Democrats who have made fixing the power grid a campaign issue, although half of the poll respondents said they dont have confidence in the grid avoiding blackouts, while 46% had some level of confidence in it. The same poll found Abbott's job approval rating up for the first time in a year, with 44% of . Respondents gave him the nod over ORourke when it comes to reducing crime (43% to 30%), securing the border (45% to 26%), improving the economy (42% to 32%), and even handling the power grid (35% to 33%). In an effort to box out the competition, Abbott, in turn, has spent the summer taking up divisive causes like building a wall on the Southern border, arresting border crossers, limiting transgender rights and urging the state legislature to pass voting restrictions and empower partisan poll watchers. Texas Governor Greg Abbott lacks his predecessors star power. Abbott's job approval ratings have again begun to slide, just as they did during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The Texas primary fell on the same night as President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, where he attempted to reset the Democratic Party's agenda after several of his of domestic policies had stalled. Texas Gov. Opposition to overturning Roe increased to 53%, from 50% in February, while support dipped to 46%, from 47% a shift that wasnt statistically significant. Abbott had an 89 percent job approval rating from Republicans before the pandemic, according to past . The chairman of the Pima County Republican Party is calling for the arrest of local officials who mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or masks. What does it mean for his chances in th. he announced his candidacy for Texas governor in 2022, . Gov. While Abbott didnt exactly embrace the move, he didnt criticize it either. Greg Abbott is maintaining a modest lead over Democrat Beto ORourke in the simmering race for Texas governor, though his road to victory could be bumpy. October 12, 2022. In both January and February, by 48-37, more Texans agreed than disagreed that a wall is necessary for a safe border. Gov. Get the latest politics news from North Texas and beyond. The former El Paso congressman, though, has the edge among women (44-40), Blacks (59-16) and Latinos (46-36). Abbott shows a commitment to implement those strategies until they are successful, said Owens, the polls director. His staffers descended on the office of state Rep. Byron Cook, who chaired the House State Affairs Committee and had the power to keep the bill from making it to the floor, and pressured Cook not to let the bill through, Cook recalled in an interview. Greg Abbott (R) initially praised the police response to the Robb Elementary School shooting but on May 27 . He has only led Texas when its been a one-party state. 5:30 AM on Aug 14, 2022 CDT. He hasnt. Abbott speaks during a ceremonial event at the Alamo marking the signing of gun legislation. I think a lot of legislators are scratching their head trying to figure out why we are coming back.. Polls from firms that are banned by FiveThirtyEight are not shown. Would you say that you". The poll found that 63% dont think elected officials are doing enough to stop mass shootings, which returned to the headlines after the May 24 massacre of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. If 56% of Texans say the state is headed in the wrong direction, thats a Biden problem, he added. Republican consultant Matthew Langston said Abbott will win with the support of the conservative voters who have dominated Texas politics for 30 years. Abbott is a term-two incumbent with lots of money and wide name recognition. Thats meant that this summer, even as Covid patients fill Texas hospitals and as teachers worry about school outbreaks, Abbott has refused to let local governments and school districts implement mask mandates and other virus mitigation measures. About 10 minutes into the run, an oak tree fell on Abbott, paralyzing him permanently from the waist down. Some point out that he still could. The choice of words upset many Democrats. But Royce Brooks, the former executive director for Annies List, a group that promotes the candidacies of progressive women, said the majority of Texans believing the state is on the wrong path is an opportunity for ORourke. He takes the time to work the deal, says Miller. AP. I definitely dont like Beto.. Abbott has a way of making even the most divisive, hot-button issues seem dull, signaling support for certain priorities while neutering their impact and that, too, is surely part of his success. But Gov. June 30, 2022 / 6:53 PM / CBS DFW. Voters are also indicating that they are diverging from leaders on policy, Owens said. I was that way as a judge. March 2, 2022 / 5:47 AM / CBS DFW. There could be another mass shooting. 46% approve and 50% disapprove of how hes handling his duties, compared with net approval of 50-46 in February. The governor is kind of a recluse, says Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller, who considered challenging Abbott in the governors race but decided to run for reelection himself. Texans feel a sense of economic uncertainty, even if most Texans assign blame to federal lawmakers for inflation.. Abbott Edges O'Rourke in Texas Governor's Race. will back come November 2022. . Its not a hard choice, said Deborah Crowe, a 62-year-old corporate proofreader from Arlington and poll participant. Just 25% say ORourke is the candidate most noticeable on television. There was also overwhelming support 54% to 33% for expanding Medicaid to improve health care access, which the state has not done. The poll additionally shows Abbott has 83-12% job approval rating among Republicans, 43-47% among independents and 89-6% among Democrats. I want to extend that busing part, said Culp, who ripped Biden and congressional leaders for inaction on the migrant surge. Huge majorities of more than 80% of voters support such additional spending. 60% back decriminalizing pot for recreational use, though just 42% of Republicans support that. He doesnt have star power, and hes facing attacks from Republicans and Democrats. He lacks the star power of his predecessors the folksiness of Rick Perry; the swagger of George W. Bush; the famously sharp wit of Ann Richards. A fifth-generation Texan, Bob earned a bachelors degree from Harvard University. Most of the grassroots activists I spoke to at the June bill signing in San Antonio said they supported Abbott, especially after his responsiveness this year to the issues they care about. Beto O'Rourke announced Monday he's challenging Texas Gov. | So far, West and Huffines have agreed. That compares with close divisions of opinion among all voters on Paxtons honesty in November, January and February. Many Texas say theyre not going to restaurants as much as they used to. Patrick, who in his role as president of the Texas Senate has pushed conservative legislation, has a mixed approval rating, with 41% approving of his performance and 39% disapproving. And even though Texas is becoming more urban and suburban, Democrats have struggled to win over Abbott voters. Only "pure" independents or members of a third party who indicate that they have no preference for Democrats vis-a-vis Republicans are considered independents. Marchs primary field of four major GOP candidates for attorney general has narrowed to two. Shes held Jaworski, the grandson of Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworski, to a 26-26 split among whites and is lapping him among Hispanics, 44-13. That way, they can take care of them.. Dan Patrick, Carrollton state Rep. Michelle Beckley leads Houston accountant Mike Collier, 31-19. These two governors will appear on the ballot in 2022, and . And he likes the states ongoing offers of free bus rides to migrants released by federal authorities in Texas. Hes been able to keep his head down and focus on the work in front of him and let that do the speaking for him.. In that lower part of the state, the city of Tucson requires vaccinations and the Marana School District requires masks.. Shelley Kais told the Arizona Daily Independent, "On September 29, any school board member, city councilman, or supervisor who requires . By the numbers: O'Rourke has outraised Abbott since February but the governor has more in his campaign coffers $46 million versus $24 . ORourke says that for now hes focused on voting rights and hasnt decided on another statewide run. Still, its unclear whether the states child-welfare agency will resume the probes of any of the at least nine families that were being investigated as of late February. But Jenkins, who asked a judge on Monday to block the governors mask mandate ban, says he talked to Abbott maybe once during the entire pandemic. Greg Abbott leading Beto O'Rourke in race for governor. And, in this case, he made it clear that he wasnt going to tell me what he really thinks. Only 30% of Texas registered voters say its appropriate to send foster children out of state, while 25% say its not appropriate, and 43% say they approve of such placements only in extreme circumstances. Respondents were asked, "How would you rate the job Greg Abbott is doing as Governor? In the unfolding pandemic, economic crisis and reckoning on race, governors and mayors are shaping our shared future. Abbotts political dance around the gun legislation represents a familiar strategy of his when it comes to controversial policies: avoiding specifics for as long as possible and getting on board only once the outcome is clear. Women will kill themselves if theyre faced with a pregnancy they cant handle.. In a statewide survey last month by former Dallas state Rep. Jason Villalbas Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation, two out of five likely Republican primary voters said that they would never vote for Bush. Respondents were asked, "How would you rate the job Greg Abbott is doing as Governor? Luther, who raised more than a $1 million, made the election a referendum on Abbotts conservative credentials, arguing that the governors pandemic restrictions amounted to tyranny and that Springer was part of the Austin swamp that had enabled Abbott. During his first year in office, conspiracy theorists stoked fears that Jade Helm 15, a routine U.S. military training exercise taking place in in Texas and other states, would be a precursor to martial law. AP Photo/Pat Sullivan. Political Ad paid for by Texans . Would you say that you" Party identification is calculated according to the PID7 variable, a seven point scale of party identification. AUSTIN, Texas On a muggy morning in mid-June, Gov. 2 official, Lt. Gov. Later in the month, Abbott and Trump held a joint appearance in South Texas about border security. Mon, Feb 20, 2023 . Abbotts job approval rating is now underwater. At a time when Trump has forced national Republicans to prove their loyalty, Abbott has managed to avoid being pigeonholed within the party. This is a place Ive been ever since Ive been in office, and that is a strong conservative, Abbott said. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Approval (June 2022) Greg Abbott Issue Area Job Approval (April 2022) 2022 Gubernatorial Vote Intention: Greg Abbott vs. Beto O'Rourke (April 2022) . If they indicated that they lean toward one party or the other, they are considered Democrats or Republicans for the purposes of this figure. The policy had spent years languishing in Texas, failing to get much traction even in a Republican-dominated legislature; Texas voters and law enforcement officials wouldnt get behind the policy. He raised $18.7 million just in the last 10 days of June. In December, the survey found a 49-41% split. The Lyceum poll depicts Biden's approval rating in Texas at a higher percentage (43%) than he currently has nationwide (42%, per Gallup), which Strother sees as suspect. Roughly the same number of Texans say they are concerned about gun violence in their community. The primary season, which picks up speed in the summer, determines which candidates from each party advance to the fall campaign. When I met Abbott back at his office in Austin a few hours after the San Antonio visit a far more understated space than Millers I asked the governor whether he thought President Joe Biden had won the November election. In other poll findings, Abbott's approval rating declined slightly, with 46% of voters approving his job performance and 43% disapproving. Greg Abbott still leads Beto ORourke in governors race, poll shows, Texas headed in wrong direction, voters say. Average of Poll: Abbott: 61%, Don Huffines: 8% Allen West: 10%. Powering the governors lead is his handling of the Texas economy, with 53% favoring his stewardship and 41% who disapprove. Februarys winter storm, which led to about $130 billion in lost output and damage, has barely dented Abbotts approval ratings. History would suggest Republicans have a sizeable advantage as well. Abbott's overall approval rating also dipped in the . Few people doubt Greg Abbotts Republican bona fides, but many who have known him for years say he is personally more moderate than his public persona these days. It would be a wrong correlation to say that the direction of the state question is an indicator that Greg Abbott is going to lose.. Would you say that you" Gender is calculated according to the GENDER variable. Get the latest politics news from North Texas and beyond. West has accused Abbott of not doing enough to advance conservative priorities on the border and on gender-affirming care for transgender children. Only 9% blamed Abbott or Texas lawmakers for inflation, while 48% blamed higher costs for goods and services on President Joe Biden. The poll, conducted Aug. 1-7, surveyed 1,384 registered voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points. A political newcomer, Garza appears to have ballot name advantages as a Latina. Last Friday, Abbott directed a state agency to determine whether some gender confirmation surgeries counted as child abuse. More than half of Texans think the state is on the wrong track, while border security and immigration continue to loom large, especially among Texas Republicans.