In the race for governor, Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver (D) has eked out a six-point advantage over Republican Congressman Jim Nussle. Culver now leads 46% to 40%, having gained slightly against Nussle for three polls in a row.

A month ago, Culver led by just two percentage points.

Today, Nussle is roughly even with Democrat Michael Blouin, leading 43% to 41%. That's a seven-point gain for Blouin since our previous poll. Democratic state legislator Ed Fallon has also gained a few points, but still trails Nussle 36% to 44%.

In match-ups with Nussle, Culver enjoys higher support (88%) from fellow Democrats than does any other Democratic candidate.

Nussle is viewed favorably by 54%, Culver by 52%. Blouin and Fallon each hover around a 40% favorable rating. Twenty percent (20%) are still "Not Sure" of Culver, but even more still lack a sense of Blouin (26%) and Fallon (30%). Only 12% have no opinion pro or con about Nussle.

Sixty-one percent (61%) approve of how Governor Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, is doing his job.

Iowa's primary election will be held June 6.

Sixty percent (60%) of Iowa voters agree that tax increases hurt the economy, and 54% say tax cuts help the economy.

Eighty percent (80%) are following the immigration debate. Fifty-two percent (52%) say all immigrants should be welcomed except criminals, security threats, and those who plan to exploit welfare. Almost three quarters, 74%, believe that before we tackle further reforms, we ought to secure our borders and enforce existing immigration law.

We found an even split, unusual in our polling, between those who agree (39%) and those who disagree (39%) that all illegal aliens should be forcibly required to leave the country. In most states, at least a plurality dispute that all should be forced to go. Twenty-two percent (22%) of Iowans are Not Sure what the policy here should be.

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