In the unusual four-way campaign for Texas Governor, Republican Governor Rick Perry continues to enjoy a substantial lead, though he has lost a couple points since our last survey of the race.

Perry now earns 38% support from Texas voters. Democrat Chris Bell collects 14%, a drop from 17% in April, technically putting him in fourth place.

Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I)-the state Comptroller asking to be listed as Carole Keeton "Grandma" Strayhorn on the November ballot-is holding steady at 19%. Early in the campaign, she had attracted 31% support, but our most recent survey found that the early enthusiasm for her campaign had
dissipated.

Kinky Friedman (I), the wisecracking musician, author, and official Colorful Character in the race, now wins 20% support, a five-point gain. Although his given name is Richard, this candidate will appear on the ballot as "Kinky."

Technically, Friedman and Strayhorn have yet to learn whether they are officially qualified for the ballot, but both report having turned in more than enough petition signatures to do so.

Perry is viewed favorably by 56% of likely voters, Bell by 39%, Strayhorn by 46%, Friedman by 37%. Friedman is viewed Very Unfavorably by more voters, 26%, than any other candidate. Bell is still an
unknown to 26% of voters, while only 14% are still agnostic about Friedman, 11% about Strayhorn.

Texan voters are more likely than voters elsewhere to approve the job that former Governor George W. Bush is doing as President; 54% approve, 36% Strongly Approve.

In a state whose voters tend to trust Republicans more than Democrats on major issues-with the single exception, in the current poll, of energy policy-Bush earns highest approval on the economy, with 49%
saying his performance is Excellent or Good, and on national security.

Only 32% say the President's performance on immigration is Excellent or Good; 27% say Fair; 39% say Poor.

On Iraq, 43% give him a positive grade, and 41% think he's doing a Poor job.

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