As support for Republican Governor Rick Perry continues to droop, Independent candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn has again captured second place in the unusual four-way race for Texas Governor.

The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in Texas finds that Likely Voters now allocate their support as follows: Governor Rick Perry 33%, Chris Bell (D) 18%, Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I) 22%, Kinky Friedman (I) 16% (see crosstabs).

For most of the year, Perry led the pack with about support in the 40% range. But he slid from 40% in July to 35% last month, and hasn't recovered in the current poll.

With not one but two support-seizing Independent candidacies in this Texas tussle, the Governor has been unable to tackle just his Democratic opponent, Chris Bell. And Bell, who joined a three-way tie for second place in August, now scratches out only two points more than the fourth-place finisher.

It doesn't look as if voters are much inclined to migrate to the major-party candidates as Election Day draws near; Strayhorn, for one, is obviously benefiting from voters' continued willingness to credit her own maverick bid. And like the Governor's, her campaign is relatively well-financed.

Perry and Strayhorn both recently launched television ad campaigns.

The incumbent is still best-positioned to win, given the lack of any runoff requirements in Texas. However, Governor Perry's favorables have weakened since August. He is now viewed favorably by only 48% of Likely Voters, a six-point drop. Last month, 18% viewed him "very favorably," an equal number "very unfavorably." Only 15% now view him very favorably, 22% very unfavorably.

Strayhorn, who among the four is most often seen as a moderate by voters, is now viewed favorably by 53%, up from 45%. Favorables for both Bell and Friedman are weaker.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.