Update: Because the Azimuth poll targeted registered Republicans and “highly aware” GOP voters, questions have arisen over its scientific accuracy.” This kind of polling is generally considered less accurate and more partisan and may have skewed results.
Earlier: A new public opinion survey suggests Texas Lieutenant-Governor David Dewhurst and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz are in a statistical dead heat in the race for the United States Senate seat being vacated next year by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
The poll by Azimuth Research Group shows Cruz with 32 percent support and Dewhurst with 31 percent, a difference that falls within the 3 percent margin of error.
Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert registered 8 percent support in the poll. Driftwood Tea Party candidate Lela Pittenger scored 5 percent, just one point ahead of railroad commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones at 4 percent.
Funeral home operator and Magnolia school board member Glenn Addison received 3 percent support. Retired Air Force veteranAndrew Castanuela got 1 percent. Curtis Cleaver, a candidate who apparently doesn’t even have a website, received no support.
While both Dewhurst and Cruz reported raising $2.5 million each, according to the Dallas Morning News, Leppert has reported having more than $4 million in the bank.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep Michael McCaul (R-Austin) – a four-term congressman worth almost $300 million – is still considering whether to enter the race, the Houston Chronicle reports.
The Azimuth poll questioned 844 Republican voters in Texas between October 12 and 17. Azimuth says its "polls are conducted as much as possible in accordance with the standards and practices of the American Association for Public Opinion Researchers."
