The Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Texas is now within nine points, according to a new poll. A University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll shows Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst with 40 percent, while his challenger, former state solicitor general Ted Cruz, is at 31 percent. Former Dallas mayor Tom Leppert is in third at 17 percent.

With the the May 29 primary just a week away, Cruz appears to be gaining ground on Dewhurst. He’s been aided in his effort to be the conservative alternative to Dewhurst by an endorsement from Sarah Palin, who recently recorded a robocall to Texas voters. “Ted Cruz has defended the Constitution, U.S. sovereignty, and over three million veterans, and he’s endorsed by Tea Party Express,” Palin says.