US midterm elections: Beto O’Rourke closes gap on Texas governor Greg Abbott, poll suggests

Greg Abbott, the Republican governor for Texas, holds a 10 point lead over his rival Democrat Beto O’Rourke,  according to a new survey. 

The poll, from Emerson College Polling showed  Mr Abbott receiving 52 per cent of support among voters  in the state, compared to O’Rourke with 42 percent.

A separate four per cent said they were undecided.

When those respondents were asked who they were leaning toward, 42 per cent said Mr O’Rourke while another 31 per cent said the governor.

A separate 20 percent said they were leaning toward Green Party candidate Delilah Barrios while seven per cent said Libertarian candidate Mark Tippetts.

Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, told news website The Hill that the governor held an edge among male voters while Mr O’Rourke held a slimmer lead among women.

“Abbott has a commanding 23-point lead among male voters, whereas O’Rourke holds a three-point lead among women voters,” he said.