The latest survey of the U.S. Senate race from Texas Public Opinion Research shows Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton, 45% to 40%, marking the Austin state representative's largest lead in any public poll taken during the general election period.

Since Paxton locked up the GOP nomination in late May, polling of the contest has found a neck-and-neck race with neither candidate able to break 50%.

But TPOR's poll found Talarico leading among voters who do not have a college degree - a group that has consistently favored Republicans in Texas and across the country - and dominating among independents, less than a quarter of whom said they planned to vote for Paxton.