Perry Pulls Away in Texas A new Public Strategies poll in Texas finds Gov. Rick Perry (R) has his largest lead over challenger Bill White (D) thus far in the race for governor, 50% to 36%. Notes pollster David Iannelli: “Perry starts out his campaign with a big advantage. That is, counter to the rest of the nation, the majority of Texans think the state is heading in the right direction.” If you put this together with the latest fundraising numbers, White is fading on all fronts. The next four weeks will be a long twilight. And if White collapses, what happens to Democratic legislative candidates? White needed to stay competitive at least until the start of early voting. It doesn’t look like that is going to happen.