Texas: Trump leads Cruz. It’s 24% for the Donald in the Lone Star State, to 16% for Ted Cruz, the home-town boy, says a recent survey by Gravis Marketing. Ben Carson was third, with 12%, followed by Jeb Bush at 9% ……. North Carolina: Cooper edges McCrory. The latest Public Policy Polling (D) survey gives state Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) 42%, incumbent Gov. Pat McCrory (R) 39%. The Tar Heel State will host the South’s only gubernatorial election in 2016 ……. Arkansas: Lawmaker switches parties. Citing his disagreement with the state’s Democratic Party’s positions on abortion, Planned Parenthood funding and same-sex marriage, state Rep. Mike Holcomb announced he was changing from the Democratic to the Republican Party, reports Arkansas Online. He forecasts more Democrats will do the same. The GOP now controls both legislative chambers …….