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POLITICS

Election 2010: New Hampshire Governor

New Hampshire Governor: Lynch (D) Retains Smaller Lead On Stephen (R)

Democratic Governor John Lynch holds a six-point lead in his bid for reelection in New Hampshire.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Lynch picking up 51% of the vote, while Republican John Stephen, a former state Health and Human Services commissioner, draws 45% of the vote. One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and three percent (3%) are still undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

These numbers move this race from Solid Democrat to Leans Democrat in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Gubernatorial Scorecard.

Just over two weeks ago, Lynch held a 53% to 43% lead over Stephen. The race was closest in September, just after Stephen bounced to a near tie with the incumbent following his GOP primary win. Prior to last month's findings, Lynch, who is seeking a fourth two-year term, held double-digit leads in four surveys conducted since March, earning 47% to 50% support. Stephen picked up 35% to 39% of the vote in those same surveys.

The new survey was taken the same night the candidates held a televised debate.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

This statewide telephone survey of 750 Likely Voters in New Hampshire was conducted on October 27, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/-4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Republican Kelly Ayotte earns her highest level of support yet against Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes in New Hampshire's U.S. Senate race.

Which candidate’s views do voters see as more mainstream? How many voters have made up their minds already about who they’ll vote for on Tuesday? Become a Platinum member to find out.

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