Gov. Rick Perry casts early vote

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry has cast his ballot in the Republican primary.

Perry is one of several gubernatorial candidates who have already gone to the polls during early voting before the March 2 election.

Perry and his wife, Anita, stopped Wednesday at an Austin grocery store to vote early.

Perry is facing U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and party activist Debra Medina in the Republican primary. Perry said he's intending to avoid a runoff.

A recent poll conducted for five major Texas newspapers found Perry leading with 45 percent support among likely Republican voters, with Hutchison at 29 percent and Medina at 17 percent.

Some 8 percent were undecided. If no one wins a majority, there will be a runoff April 13.

Hutchison cast her early vote Tuesday in Dallas.