Gov. Rick Perry, who is mulling another re-election shot in 2014, might find some encouragement in the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. The longest-serving governor would beat Attorney General Greg Abbott by nearly 3-to-1 if a Republican primary were held today, according to poll numbers released Monday.
Perry has repeatedly said he will announce his political plans in June, after the current session of the Legislature ends. He has also signaled his interest in another run for president after his failed attempt in 2012.
Abbott has been widely considered as a leading contender for the governor's race if Perry chooses to step aside. But if the Republican primary became a matchup between Perry and Abbott, the incumbent governor would lead with 49 percent to Abbott's 17 percent among those who identified themselves as Republicans , with 31 percent saying they had no opinion.
Among all voters, Perry would get 27 percent to Abbott's 14 percent, with 28 percent registering no opinion.
The survey, detailed in the Texas Tribune on Monday, also contained a downside for Perry. Asked if they would vote another term for the state's longest serving governor next year - without naming another candidate - 26 percent of the respondents said yes, 36 percent said no and 33 percent said they would wait and see who is running against him, The Tribune reported.
-- Dave Montgomery
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