Two Democrats vying for the gubernatorial nomination in Massachusetts now earn more than 40% support when likely voters consider three-way match-ups.

Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey (R) continues to trail all three Democrats who would like to be the next Bay State Governor. Independent candidate Christy Mihos remains a substantial but last-place contender in each match-up.

Venture capitalist Chris Gabrieli, a relatively recent entrant in the race, is one of the Democrats who has improved his plurality. In the latest Rasmussen Reports election poll, Gabrieli attracts 42%, Healey 24%, Mihos 15%. In May, he was ahead by just 11 percentage points.

When Deval Patrick is the Democrat in the match-up, Patrick attracts 43% support, Healey 23%, Mihos 15%. Patrick’s twenty-point advantage is double the lead he held in May.

Thomas Reilly attracts 39% support, Healey 27%, Mihos 17%, little changed from our previous survey. Earlier in the year, before Mihos threw his hat in the ring as an Independent, Reilly had dominated with a lead over Healey of 49% to 27%. Patrick then drew 41% support.

More recently, Reilly was narrowly the leader among the three Democrats, but is now bested in our match-ups by the very man, Chris Gabrieli, whom he almost picked as his running mate. Among Democrats, though, Patrick does a little better than either.

Gabrieli is viewed favorably by 51%, Patrick by 54%, Reilly by 44%, Healey by 39%, Mihos by 39%.

President Bush's Job Approval Rating with Massachusetts voters is 32% and just half that number Strongly Approve. Sixty-seven percent (67%) disapprove of his performance; 56% "strongly" disapprove.

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