Statewide officials get higher approval ratings than the people that Texas voters have sent to Washington, a new poll finds.
That’s according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
Congress remains unpopular with Texans — though not as unpopular as it was before the GOP took control of it and the White House.
Just 26 percent of Texans approve of the job Congress has been doing – and 50 percent disapprove. Though that’s low, it’s actually an improvement – up from only 10 percent approval in the same poll last October.
Gov. Greg Abbott got among the highest marks, scoring favorably from 45 percent of Texans — including 80 percent of Republicans – Texas Tribune Editor Ross Ramsey tells NewsRadio 740 KTRH.
Texas’ two U.S. senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz – both Republicans, like Abbott -- did not fare as well. As for Cornyn, 30 percent approve of his work and 34 percent don’t. For Cruz, 38 percent approve and 39 percent don’t.
Lt. Dan Patrick “had slightly more positive than negative grades, with 32 percent approval and 31 percent disapproval,” the Texas Tribune reports. “But like the governor, his partisans are mostly happy: 59 percent of Republicans approve of the work he’s doing.
The poll also found:
--The military is viewed favorably by 76 percent of Texans.
--The police got favorable ratings from 64 percent. “White voters were most positive, with 73 percent saying they have favorable impressions, a view shared by 30 percent of black Texans and 60 percent of Hispanics,” the Texas Tribune states.
--Courts and the criminal justice system got favorable grades from 40 percent and unfavorable marks from 32 percent.
--23 percent of Texans have a favorable impression of the federal government. Texas’ state government does better, with 47 percent favorable. Local government also got a 47 percent favorable rating.
The poll was an internet survey of 1,200 registered voters conducted Feb. 3-10 to Feb. 10 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.83 percent.