The well-respected Rasmussen public opinion research company today has released some new survey data on the California Governor’s race with some pretty significant results…
Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman now runs dead even with likely Democratic nominee Jerry Brown in California’s gubernatorial contest.The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely California voters finds Republican hopeful Whitman and Brown tied with 43% each. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided.
A month ago, Brown, a longtime California political figure who now serves as attorney general, posted a four-point lead over Whitman, 43% to 39%. In November, the two were tied at 41% apiece.
Brown continues to maintain a double-digit lead – 46% to 34% – over the other leading Republican in the contest, State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Seven percent (7%) like another candidate, and 13% are undecided. Last month, Brown was ahead 45% to 35%, and in November, he had a 43% to 32% lead over Poznier.
Some Democrats have speculated that Senator Dianne Feinstein would make a stronger Democratic gubernatorial nominee. But Feinstein, who has expressed no public interest in the race, runs comparably against both Republicans.
The senator earns 45% of the vote to Whitman’s 43% and leads Poizner 48% to 36%. This is a marginally stronger showing for Feinstein that a month ago. In both contests, five percent (5%) or less prefer another candidate, and roughly 10% are undecided.
Feinstein’s partner in the Senate, incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer, is in surprisingly tight reelection races with three potential Republican challengers for the second month in a row.
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California in recent years, however, has leaned strongly Democratic in most statewide contests, so it’s an uphill battle for any Republican. The GOP candidates aren’t helped either by the unpopularity of the current Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Just 26% of voters in the state now approve of Schwarzenegger’s job performance, while 73% disapprove. These numbers include six percent (6%) who strongly approve of the job he is doing versus 37% who strongly disapprove.
Male and female voters break evenly for Whitman and Brown, although both groups prefer Brown over Poizner. Feinstein carries women against either Republican. She loses the male vote to Whitman but runs even among men against the other GOP contender.
Voters not affiliated with either major party like Whitman over Brown but favor Brown over Poizner. Feinstein runs even among unaffilateds against Whitman but leads Poizner by six among those voters.
Brown is viewed very favorably by 30% of voters in the state, up 10 points from last month, and very unfavorably by 24%. Thirty percent (30%) also have a very favorable opinion of Feinstein, but 31% regard her very unfavorably.
For Whitman, very favorables total 19%, up five from the previous survey, and very unfavorables 11%. Poizner, who is now at the center of a controversy over major rate hikes by the state’s leading public insurer, is seen very favorably by five percent (5%) and very unfavorably by 11%.
See the rest of Rasmussen’s report here.