Carter Leads Kent by 9 Points in New Poll

Dallas, TX, September 16, 2010 --(PR.com)-- A new public opinion poll of 350 registered voters in the 102nd Texas House District by Shaw & Company Research shows Republican challenger Stefani Carter with a nine point lead over freshman Democratic legislator Carol Kent. The poll, taken from September 9-11, shows Carter leading Kent 49% to 40% in the initial ballot test (the initial ballot test gauges preferences prior to introduction of any new information about the candidates or the race itself).

Beyond the trial ballot, of particular note is that an identical percentage of voters (34%) hold favorable views of Carter and Kent, but more than three times as many hold unfavorable views of the Democratic incumbent (4% unfavorable towards Carter compared to 14% for Kent).

The poll also showed Governor Rick Perry with a nine-point lead over challenger Bill White (47% Perry-38% White).

“This District has long-standing Republican leanings, but went to Kent in the Obama-Democratic landslide that swept Dallas in 2008. Even with that wave, the margin was exceptionally close, though: Obama carried the district by only 1.4 points with record turnout,” said Dr. Daron Shaw, who conducted the poll. “It is quite apparent from this survey that the district has trended back towards its more Republican historical orientation.”

Notable in the poll is a relatively low level of undecided voters.

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