Attorney General Jay Nixon (D) has a three-point edge over Missouri Governor Matt Blunt (R) in an early look at the 2008 Governor’s race. A Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found Nixon attracting 46% of the vote while Blunt earned 43%. Six percent (6%) say they’d vote for someone else and five percent (5%) are not sure.

The candidates are even among men while Nixon has a five-point edge among women. Blunt has a slight edge among voters over 50 while Nixon does better with younger adults.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Missouri voters say that Blunt is doing a good or an excellent job as Governor. Thirty-two percent (32%) say he’s doing a poor job.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations, Inc. To watch the FOX-St. Louis report featuring this poll, click “play” below.

Missouri voters had better be ready for a lot of campaign rhetoric in 2008, because it looks like the race for the state’s Electoral College votes may be close as well.

The survey also found that Missouri voters favor strong measures to crack down on illegal immigration. Seventy-four percent (74%) of voters favor a state law making it illegal for businesses to hire illegal aliens.

Fifty-five percent (55%) favor guaranteed universal health care while 32% are opposed. However, 44% think it would be better run by private companies and only 39% say the government would do a better job.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) favor legalizing marijuana for medical purposes while 32% are opposed.

Fifty-three percent (53%) oppose efforts to place further restrictions on stem cell research. Thirty-nine percent (39%) would like to see further restrictions.

Like voters everywhere, most in Missouri want to see troops coming home from Iraq. Just 25% favor an immediate withdrawal while another 35% want the troops home within a year.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations, Inc.

Rasmussen Reports today released state polling results in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Illinois. Other recent state polls have been released in Ohio, Florida, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon, Colorado, and New Hampshire.

In Primary Polls, Clinton leads all Democrats in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida.

The Republican Primary picture is more muddled. Romney leads in New Hampshire, Thompson leads in South Carolina, and Giuliani is on top in Florida.

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