A surging Herman Cain has a slim lead in Republican presidential primary polling in Texas — topping even Gov. Rick Perry, who happens to also be running for the nomination, according to a University of Texas at Austin/Texas Tribune poll.

The poll found Mr. Cain with 27 percent support among Republican registered voters, while Mr. Perry grabbed 26 percent support. Rep. Ron Paul, who represents a Texas district, was third with 12 percent support.

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Mr. Perry would, however, steamroll in a general election, topping President Obama 45-37. Mr. Cain leads Mr. Obama 40-35.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won just 9 percent support among Republicans when it came to their presidential nomination, and he topped Mr. Obama by just 36-34 in a head-to-head matchup.

The poll of 800 registered voters was taken Oct. 19-26. The GOP primary question was asked of 395 respondents who identified as Republicans.

Texas voters seemed reluctant to give Mr. Perry much credit. Asked what was responsible for Texas’ economy doing relatively better than the rest of the country’s, 65 percent credited long-standing policies, while just 21 percent said Mr. Perry’s leadership was responsible.