Conducted the night after the primary elections , the latest Rasmussen Reports election poll of the race for Oregon Governor shows Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski narrowly leading Republican challenger Ron Saxton 43% to 41%.

Although the incumbent had faced a vigorous challenge from State Treasurer Jim Hill, he won with 54% of the primary vote (Hill drew 29%).

Governor Kulongoski is viewed favorably by 52% of the electorate, unfavorably by 44%. Saxton is viewed favorably by 48%, unfavorably by 41%. Almost twice as many view the governor Very Unfavorably as view the Republican challenger that way.

Forty-nine percent (49%) approve of how the governor is doing his job. Only 8% Strongly Approve.

Fifty-one percent disapprove, and 24% Strongly Disapprove.

Given the state's balanced political environment—in 2004, Kerry won the state with a bare majority of 51% of the vote—and voters' mixed views of the incumbent, it looks like the battle for the governor's mansion may be hard-fought right up until election day.

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Oregonians tend to trust Democrats more than Republicans on the political issues of the day. Their trust is most evenly divided among the two parties when it comes to national security and immigration.

But on the economy, 45% trust the Democrats more, 40% trust the GOP more; on energy policy, it's 48% for the Democrats versus 29% for the Republicans; on Iraq, the Democrats have a five-point edge.

President Bush's overall approval rating is as low here as it is around the country. In Oregon just 22% Strongly Approve of the way he is performing his presidential duties while 47% Strongly Disapprove.

At least 40% view the President's performance as Poor on each of issue we polled about. On Iraq and energy policy, more than 50% view it as Poor.

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