The August Wall Street Journal/Zogby tracking poll came out yesterday with more good news for the vast majority of Texans who want a new Governor. Dem nominee Chris Bell has closed the gap with Rick Perry by 5.8% in one month, and by 11 points since the spring.
Perry: 34.8% (-3.5% since July/-3.5% since January)
Bell: 23.1% (+2.3/+5.2)
Kinky: 22.7% (+2/+8.3)
Strayhorn: 9.6% (-1.4/-11)
Chris Bell is down by 11 points, Ann Richards was down by 17 on the last Day of August in 1990.
The dynamic of this race makes a democratic victory very possible. Independent Carole Strayhorn was briefly in the Republican primary, and will spend her $8 million dollar war chest beating up on incumbent Perry and splitting the Republican vote.
Even in the dark days of the Democratic Party in Texas, every statewide Dem got between 38%-43%. With Rick Perry at 34%, Chris Bell simply needs to hold most of his base.
And about a run-off should no one get 50%? We don’t have ’em in Texas.
