Good news for the Cruz campaign in a poll released yesterday out of California.  According to Field Research Corporation’s survey, the Texas senator leads all GOP contenders with 25%, over Trump at 23% and Rubio at 13%.

This is important for Cruz, but not because California is such a large state with a big gang of delegates at stake. The California primary won’t be held until June 7. Barring the unlikely three or four-way extended dogfight, it’s held too late to really make any difference in the outcome, which should be determinable by March 16 or so.

No, it’s important because it is one piece of data that suggests Cruz might be able to serious contend outside the southern and more traditionally conservative states–states with large urban areas that tend to have more moderate Republican voters–if there are in fact any of those left these days. So, there may be life for him beyond HuckabeeSantorumland.

Of course, it’s just one poll and it’s hard to say what his numbers might look like there after the herd thins. But being able to say you’re running ahead of Trump in California is, if nothing else, a great angle for his fundraising and overall credibility.