A new poll on the Texas Senate primaries reveals incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is facing tough Republican competition, and Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s path to a nomination will not be easy, either.

The Senate race, which pits recognized Washington politicians against Austin-based rivals, could determine the ideological direction of both political parties.

Cornyn, who has represented the Lone Star State in the Senate since 2003, faces primary challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas.

The Emerson College survey shows Cornyn trailing Paxton by one point, with Paxton at 27% support among likely Republican voters, and Cornyn at 26%.

This gap is well within the margin of error of four percentage points.

Trailing in third place is Hunt, who entered the race in October.

A plurality of voters, however, remain “undecided,” with 29% of respondents unsure of whom they support. Paxton and Cornyn have both been elected Texas politicians for decades.

Early voting for the March 3 primary begins Feb. 17. If no candidate receives over 50% of the vote in their respective primary election, that would trigger a May 26 runoff election between the top two primary candidates. 

NEW: TEXAS POLL

Democratic Senate........

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