Former Dallas County sheriff Lupe Valdez is leading the race for governor on the Democratic side, according to a new poll released by the Texas Tribune.
A poll conducted between February 1st and February 18th shows Valdez leading the pack of nine Democrats vying for the party's nomination for governor. Valdez is solidly ahead in the poll with 43 percent. Her closest opponent, Houston businessman Andrew White, pulled in 24 percent.
Further down the field, hospice owner Tom Wakely and retired educator Grady Yarbrough pulled in 7 percent a piece, Adrian Ocegueda and Dallas businessman Jeffrey Payne earned 5 percent and former Balch Springs mayor Cedric Davis, Sr. pulled in 4 percent. Joe Mumbach and James Jolly Clark rounded out the field with 3 percent and 1 percent each, respectively.
66 percent of Democrats said they do not yet have a preference.
On the Republican side, Governor Greg Abbott's support is not wavering, as the incumbent Texas governor earned the support of 95 percent of Republicans surveyed. Educator Barbara Krueger pulled in 5 percent and secessionist SECEDE Kilgore earned 0 percent.
Voters will decide both parties' races on March 6th. Early voting is now open.
