After being edged out by Republican challenger Dick DeVos in two of our last three election polls, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm now leads 49% to 42% (see crosstabs).

This is the first time Granholm has held a significant lead since January. Our late-August survey showed DeVos ahead by just two points. Six consecutive polls before that found a very close race.

Now Granholm has surged a bit, despite having presided over a troubled economy that voters have hardly forgotten about. She's still shy of 50%, but her support hasn't been as high as 49% since January.

Forty-three percent (43%) are certain they'll vote for Granholm on Election Day. Only 32% say they're certain to vote for DeVos.

A big reason for the turnabout may be the first televised debate between the two candidates, held October 2. We conducted the present poll a couple days later.

Neither participant escaped criticism. But many observers think DeVos was especially hurt by his performance, which they saw as defensive, full of platitudes, and too vague about how he would reboot the state's economy. In short, not quite the well-packaged candidate of his TV ads.

DeVos is now viewed "very unfavorably" by 32%, a jump from 21%. Only 24% regard the incumbent that unfavorably, though 28% strongly disapprove of her job performance.

When asked whether their support is more "for" a candidate than "anti" the other guy, 67% of Granholm voters say their vote is "for Granholm."

However, only 56% of DeVos voters are "for DeVos"; 36% say they're voting "against Granholm."

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.