AUSTIN, Texas — A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has a nine point lead over Democratic challenger, Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso. 

Among likely voters, Cruz gets 54 percent to O'Rourke's 45 percent. That's right where the race stood in a survey from Quinnipiac in September. 

"Is the Beto bubble bursting or just hissing away with a slow leak? With less than four weeks until Election Day, Congressman Beto O'Rourke has hit a wall and remains the same nine points behind Sen. Ted Cruz as he was when Quinnipiac University polled the race last month," Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said.

"The election is far from over, but Sen. Cruz would have to suffer a major collapse for him to lose. That is even more unlikely since 97 percent of Cruz voters say they are sure they won't change their minds." 

Cruz has a 52 - 44 percent favorability rating. O’Rourke has a 45 - 47 percent favorability rating.

"O'Rourke may be attracting massive crowds, but Cruz has a better favorability rating," Brown added.

The poll was conducted from Oct. 3 through 9. 

It also looked at the race for Governor. Republican incumbent Greg Abbott had a significant lead over Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez, 58-38 percent. 

The poll surveyed 730 likely voters using cell phone and landlines. The margin of error was 4.4 percent.