It’s not surprising since this is the fifth poll this year showing President Trump is struggling in Texas. 48% of Texans approve of the president, 51% disapprove, according to a Texas Lyceum poll released Thursday.
Morning Consult has the president losing 15 points in the Lone Star State since he took office. The national media is noticing Texas’ competitive status in the 2020 election cycle.
The Lyceum poll also took the temperature of Democratic primary voters in Texas. More say they’re backing Joe Biden than the rest of the field, though former El Paso Congressman Beto O’Rourke comes in second place, followed by Elizabeth Warren. Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro remains in single digits.
“This result is probably disappointing to Castro supporters, particularly his current standing among Hispanics in the state,” says Daron Shaw, University of Texas at Austin professor and Texas Lyceum alum. “But the Texas primary is more than six months away, and so much is going to happen between now and then. What is clear, though, is that both Castro and O’Rourke need a strong showing somewhere prior to March 3, 2020 in order to convince Texans that they stand a real chance.”
The poll found that immigration is the most important issue to Texans, and concerns over ‘guns’ spiked following the El Paso attack.
The Lyceum conducted the survey Aug. 16-25.
