TYLER, Texas — A poll released last week by The Center for Opinion Research at UT Tyler says Texas voters are most concerned with securing the border and the impacts of inflation.
According to polling data from registered Texas voters gathered from Feb. 18 to 26, 35% of the voters named securing the border as their most important issue. Following behind in second place was inflation, making up 15% of the poll.
Gun control and protection of reproductive rights came in a third place tie with 9% of the vote each.
Regarding the border, 46% strongly disapproved of President Joe Biden's handling of the issue, and 15% somewhat disapproved, 17% somewhat approved and 11% strongly approved.
The poll also said former President Donald Trump leads against Biden in Texas, 46% to 42% in a potential matchup in November.
“While Trump’s lead over Biden suggests the election will be closer than the last two presidential elections involving candidate Trump, it does not bode well for President Biden that Texans perceive he has badly mishandled the issue they believe to be the most important,” said Dr. Ken Wink, UT Tyler professor and interim center director.
UT Tyler's poll also asked about contest between former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Biden. The results showed Haley winning 42% to 36%.
However, after Super Tuesday election results, Haley suspended her presidential campaign on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
In a five-person hypothetical race, the poll showed Trump would defeat Biden 41% to 37% with other candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. having 13% voter support and Cornel West earning 6% voter support.
According to the poll, a hypothetical race between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, who won the primary Tuesday night, is set at a tie with each candidate getting 41% of the vote.
The poll consisted of 1,167 respondents (865 online and 302 on the phone).