Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm has extended her lead over Republican challenger Dick DeVos in Michigan’s gubernatorial race. The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Granholm leading DeVos 53% to 42% (see crosstabs). When leaners are added into the mix, Granholm is ahead 54% to 43%.

Granholm’s lead was seven points earlier this month (49% to 42%).

Forty-seven percent (47%) of Michigan say they’re “certain” to vote for Granholm while 36% “certain” they’ll vote for DeVos.

Among affiliated voters, the candidates are running neck-and-neck. Eight-seven percent (87%) of Democrats are supporting Granholm while 85% of Republicans support DeVos. Voters belonging to minor parties or no party are tipping the scales more heavily in Granholm’s favor. Fifty-five percent of voters in this “other” group say they’ll vote for Granholm while 34% support DeVos.

The candidates are running evenly among Michigan’s major media: DeVos nabbed the endorsement of The Detroit News earlier this month and The Detroit Free Press announced its endorsement of Granholm on Sunday, calling her “a dynamic leader who is pushing Michigan in all the right directions against formidable economic and political forces.”

One-third of voters (33%) report a “very favorable” opinion of their governor while 24% are at the opposite end of the spectrum with a “very unfavorable” opinion of Granholm.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters say they have a “very unfavorable” opinion of DeVos. Just 20% feel very favorably toward him. Thus far, DeVos has spent approximately $16 million of his own money on his campaign, which has included 28 different television ads.

Overall, 53% of voters approve of Granholm’s job performance—25% strongly so. Forty-seven percent (47%) disapprove with 33% reporting strong disapproval.

As the race enters the final weeks, both candidates are working overtime to woo women voters. DeVos’ current round of ads feature women criticizing Granholm on Michigan’s lagging economy, as issue that has dogged her throughout the campaign. Granholm is taking a bolder step by running a series of ads addressing the always controversial issue of abortion. While Granholm is personally opposed to abortion, her ads remind voters that she supports a woman’s right to choose and DeVos opposes abortion in all cases, including instances of rape or incest, except when a mother’s life is in jeopardy.

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