In hypothetical head-to-head general-election match-ups for President of the United States in Texas today, US Senator Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) runs stronger in Texas than fellow Republican and favorite son Ted Cruz, and stronger than New York businessman Donald Trump, according to opinion research conducted by SurveyUSA exclusively for WFAA-TV in Dallas and Texas TEGNA.

Among likely 11/08/16 general election voters:

* Rubio today defeats possible Democratic party nominee Hillary Clinton, 51% to 41% --- a 10-point Republican advantage.

* Rubio today defeats possible Democratic party nominee Bernie Sanders, 50% to 40% --- a 10-point Republican advantage.

* Cruz today defeats Clinton, 50% to 42% --- an 8-point Republican advantage.

* Cruz today defeats Sanders, 50% to 41% --- a 9-point Republican advantage.

* Trump today defeats Clinton, 47% to 44% --- a 3-point Republican advantage.

* Trump today defeats Sanders, 47% to 44% --- a 3-point Republican advantage.

6 in 10 likely voters say it is "very important" for a candidate for President to be able to "reach across the aisle" and work with members of the opposing political party. Another 28% say it is "somewhat important" for a candidate to be able to work with the other party. Just 11% say bipartisanship is "not very" or "not at all" important. Democrats and Independents are more likely to say collaboration is important than are Republicans.

Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro may create an ever-so-slight tailwind for the Democratic ticket if Castro is named by the Democratic nominee to be the vice presidential running mate. 24% of likely voters say a Castro VP selection would make them more likely to vote for the Democratic ticket. This includes 40% of Hispanics and 40% of African Americans. 17% say Castro would make them less likely to vote for the Democratic ticket. This includes 19% of white voters. 53% say Castro would not influence their vote one way or the other.

About: SurveyUSA interviewed 1,750 adults from the state of Texas in the respondent's choice of Spanish or English 02/21/16 through 02/22/16. Interviews were completed after the results of the South Carolina Republican Primary were known, but before the results of the Nevada Republican caucuses were known. Of the 1,750 Texas adults, SurveyUSA identified 1,289 as likely to vote in the 11/08/16 general election for president. This research was conducted using blended sample, mixed mode. Respondents reachable on a home telephone were interviewed on their home telephone in the recorded voice of a professional announcer. Respondents not reachable on a home telephone were shown a questionnaire on their smartphone, tablet or other electronic device. In 2012, Mitt Romney carried Texas with 57% of the vote. In 2008, John McCain carried Texas with 56% of the vote. In 2004, Texan George W Bush carried Texas with 61% of the vote. In 2000, Bush carried Texas with 59% of the vote. The last time Texas voted for a Democrat was in 1976, when Southerner Jimmy Carter carried the state with 51% of the vote. Texas has 38 electoral college votes in 2016.