TX-Sen: Ted Cruz takes 7-point lead in tough race against Beto O'Rourke

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) has a 7-point lead over his contender Beto O'Rourke (D), according to a poll released Tuesday.

If the election were held today, Cruz would garner 47 percent of the vote over O'Rourke's 40 percent , according to JMC Analytics and Polling survey. Independent candidate Jonathan Jenkins would pick up 6 percent of the vote, while another 7 percent remains undecided.

JMC Analytics polled 575 registered voters May 19-21 in various regions across the state. The poll had a 4.1 percent margin of error.

Where does Cruz have the most strength?

Voters in Houston, San Antonio, East Texas, and South Texas all favor Cruz over O'Rourke.

And most West Texas voters favor Cruz, 52 to 36 percent, except in O'Rourke's home county of El Paso.

Eighty-five percent of Republican voters said they would vote for Cruz.

Where is O'Rourke leading?

O'Rourke has a 71-to-19 lead over Cruz in El Paso County and Austin.

He's tied with Cruz in the Dallas-Fort Worth region at 44 percent.

What about fundraising?

Cruz's fundraising efforts are closing in on his Democratic opponent, according to the Texas Tribune.

Cruz has raised a total of $11 million. Of that, $3.4 million came from the Republican leadership and the Jobs, Freedom, and Security PACs.

He has $8.1 million in cash on hand.

O'Rourke has raised a total of $13.2 million, with $8 million in cash on hand.

What challenges does Cruz face?

The former presidential candidate's biggest challenge is his approval rating.

Forty-two percent of voters approve of the job he's doing, and 44 percent disapprove.

What else?

Republicans remain confident that Cruz will win a second term in the Nov. 6 midterm election.