Republican challenger Dino Rossi has pulled ahead of Governor Christine Gregoire for the first time since February in Washington’s gubernatorial election. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds Rossi leading the incumbent 52% to 46% (see crosstabs).
The latest numbers represent the first time Rossi has received over 50% from voters in Washington. Last month, Gregoire led the race by four points and she has now lost ground in four straight monthly polls. This year’s election is reminiscent of the exciting match up between the two candidates in 2004 that ended with a controversial win for Gregoire that had to be decided by the state’s courts.
The incumbent is viewed favorably by 53% and unfavorably by 45%. Her numbers have changed little over the past month. In terms of her job performance, 44% of voters say she is doing a good or excellent job, while 31% say she is doing a poor job.
The Republicans ratings have improved slightly since August. Rossi is viewed favorable by 55%, up from 51% a month ago. Forty-two percent (42%) share an unfavorable view of the challenger, compared to 45% last month.
The latest Rasmussen numbers for Washington’s presidential race show John McCain has closed the gap between he and Barack Obama in the Evergreen State.
See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.
This telephone survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on September 10, 2008. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
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Washington Trends: Rossi vs. Gregoire |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Date |
Rossi |
Gregoire |
|
10/22/2008 |
48% |
50% |
|
48% |
48% |
|
|
52% |
46% |
|
|
43% |
47% |
|
|
43% |
49% |
|
|
43% |
50% |
|
|
41% |
52% |
|
|
46% |
47% |
|
|
47% |
46% |
|
|
Favorable Ratings for Gubernatorial Candidates in Washington |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rossi |
Gregoire |
|
|
Very Favorable |
32% |
25% |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
20% |
25% |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
15% |
19% |
|
Very Unfavorable |
31% |
31% |
|
Not Sure |
2% |
1% |
Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.
The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge™ Premium Service for Election 2008 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a Presidential election.
Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.
