TEXAS, USA — In a little more than a month, Texas voters will have the chance to cast their ballots in the 2024 primary election.
On March 5, voters will head to the polls to nominate presidential, U.S. Senate and U.S. House candidates, among others, for the general election in November.
A recent survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs looked into how things might play out during the Texas primaries, for both the U.S. Senate and presidential races.
One report in the study found that among likely voters in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Congressman Colin Allred has a 40% lead. In second place is State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who has garnered the support of 12% of likely voters.
Among likely Democratic voters, 38% still don't know who they'll vote for in March.
The Democratic candidate who wins the primary will likely face incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in November. The report found that in a hypothetical matchup between Cruz and Allred, Cruz would win 48% to 39%. In a hypothetical matchup with Gutierrez, the report found Cruz would win 48% to 38%,.
Meanwhile, another report in the study looked at the presidential race.
The report states that among the frontrunners for the Republican primary, former President Donald Trump has 80% of the support of likely voters, compared to 19% for Nikki Haley.
Meanwhile, the report found that 40% of voters believe 77-year-old Trump is too old to effectively serve another term, while 72% believe the same for 81-year old President Joe Biden.
On the Democratic side, Biden has 72% of likely voters' support compared to 17% for Marianne Williamson. Approximately 17% of likely Democratic voters are currently undecided on who they plan to vote for.
The report found that if the general election were held today, 49% of likely Texas voters would support Trump and 40% would support Biden. Trump holds a significant lead over Biden among men (53% to 38%), but the report found the two are effectively tied among women (44% to 43%).
The report also found that 48% of likely Texas voters have a favorable opinion of Trump and 51% have an unfavorable opinion, compared to 39% favorable for Biden and 59% unfavorable.
The University of Houston's survey also looked at Texans' opinions on Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment and issues impacting the Republican candidates.
Demographically, participants in the survey were 55% white, 26% Latino, 13% Black, 3% Asian and 3% "other," according to the university. Among the participants, women and men were divided almost evenly and 28% of participants were born in 1928 to 1945 – higher than any other age range accounted for.