Texas Gov. Rick Perry leads Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison by 16 points in the Republican primary for governor, according to a new Dallas Morning News poll. Perry falls 5 points shy of the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff.

The survey (Feb. 2-10, 464 GOP LV, MoE +/- 2.5%) was conducted before Debra Medina's interview Thursday with Glenn Beck, in which her views on 9/11 were questioned. The primary will be held March 2.

GOP Primary
Perry 45
Hutchison 29
Medina 17
Und 10

Perry leads by 15.7 points in the RCP Average

Both Perry and Hutchison have sub-50% approval ratings, yet lead likely Democratic nominee Bill White in potential general election matchups (1,508 RV, MoE +/- 2.5%). While Perry leads Hutchison by 16 points in the primary, White wins more support against Perry.

General Election
Perry 43 - White 37 - Und 20

Hutchison 42 - White 34 - Und 22

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