Washington Governor Christine Gregoire’s lead over Republican challenger Dino Rossi has narrowed to 7%, highlighting the volatility in the repeat match-up.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Washington voters shows Gregoire is now supported by 50% of the state’s voters while Rossi earns the vote from 43%. A month ago, the Democratic incumbent enjoyed an eleven-point lead. In February, the race was a toss-up.

Rossi also is closing the favorability gap. For the second month in a row, the incumbent is viewed favorably by 55% of voters, but the challenger, who last month scored 49% in that category, has now climbed to 52%. And 26% of voters now have a Very Favorable view of Rossi as opposed to 22% for Gregoire.

The two first faced each other in 2004, a contest so close that it ultimately went to the courts and was won by Gregoire under controversial circumstances.

Eighty-three percent (83%) of Democrats back Gregoire while Rossi has the support of 80% of the state’s Republicans. The state’s unaffiliated voters haven’t settled on a favorite and Gregoire’s lead among those voters has evaporated. Her nine percentage point lead last month – 46% to 37% -- has now become a 12-point deficit, with Rossi leading among unaffiliated voters 49% to 37%.

Gregoire continues to lead Rossi with women voters 55% to 37% but has lost the edge she had with male voters last month.

Forty-five percent (45%) give Gregoire good or excellent marks as governor, while 25% rate her performance as poor.

In the state’s presidential election, Barack Obama maintains a double digit lead over John McCain. Nationally, Obama currently enjoys a modest lead in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.