The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows incumbent Governor Rick Perry (R) maintaining his lead over three opponents seeking his job. Forty percent (40%) of the 500 Texas voters surveyed now choose Perry, a two-point jump from last month’s poll.

Independent candidates Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas’ current comptroller of public accounts, and musician Kinky Friedman continue their mid-pack battle. Last month, Friedman earned support from 20% of voters compared to Strayhorn’s 19%. They’ve swapped positions in the current survey with Strayhorn now coming in second to Perry at 20% and Friedman placing third at 19%.

Strayhorn did have one minor setback this month; the Texas secretary of state denied her bid to be listed on the state’s ballot as “Grandma” Strayhorn, a decision she plans to appeal in court. Friedman will be listed on the ballot as “Kinky.”

Democrat Chris Bell’s support continues to erode with the candidate now collecting 13% of voters’ support, representing a one-point drop from last month and a four-point slip since April.

In a race that needs a scorecard to keep track of its cast of characters, voters aren’t sticking to party labels when choosing their candidates of choice. Strayhorn, currently holding office elected office as a Republican and running for governor as an Independent has a higher favorable rating among Democrats (57%) than Bell, the party’s official candidate, who pulls a 50% favorable rating from his party peers.

Perry’s job approval rating narrowly leads that of President Bush 56% to 53%. Bush scores slightly higher among GOP voters with an 80% approval compared to Perry’s 76%. Among Democrats, though, Perry’s crossover appeal is stronger: he beats Bush with an approval of 32% versus the president’s 18%.

The Texas Senate race is even less competitive than the Governor’s race.

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