* The latest statewide poll from the University of Texas found incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott with a comfortable lead over former Rep. Allen West, 60 percent to 15 percent, in this year’s Republican primary.
* On a related note, the same University of Texas poll showed scandal-ridden state Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead in his GOP primary race, though his support stood at 47 percent, while Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush is second with 21 percent. The intra-party election is March 1, and if no one wins a majority, there will be a May 24 runoff.
* In Florida, the latest Mason-Dixon poll shows incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio ahead in his bid for a third term, but not by an overwhelming margin: The Republican led Democratic Rep. Val Demings in the survey, 49 percent to 42 percent.
* Though former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made no secret of his interest in a possible congressional campaign, the Democrat announced yesterday that he won’t be a 2022 candidate. The news came a month after de Blasio said he wouldn’t run for governor, either.









