South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford (R) holds a solid lead over two Democrats who want his job.

Sanford leads State Senator Tommy Moore (D) 52% to 33%. That's a slightly larger lead than Sanford enjoyed in our last South Carolina poll which found the incumbent with a 13-percentage point lead over Moore.

Sanford leads Florence Mayor Frank Willis (D) by 27 points, 55% to 28% (see crosstabs). That, too, is a better performance for the governor.

The Democrats will select their nominee next month.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of voters have a "very favorable" opinion of Sanford while just 9% have a "very unfavorable" view. For Moore, those numbers are 13% very favorable and 5% very unfavorable. Willis has numbers that are a bit weaker, 10% very favorable, 8% very unfavorable.

Like most states a majority of South Carolina voters (74%) believe that we should control our borders and enforce existing law before considering additional immigration reforms. A majority (64%) also supports a policy goal that would allow all to enter the nation except those who are national security threats, criminals, or are coming to live off the U.S. welfare system.

South Carolinians are evenly divided on the question of whether all illegal aliens should be forcibly required to leave the United States. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say yes and 41% say no (see comparable Immigration Data for other states).

Rasmussen Reports now releases data for a three-poll rolling average on our state election polls. Used in conjunction with individual survey results, this tool will help determine whether shifting poll results are due to changes in the race or are merely statistical noise.

The three-poll rolling average for February, March, and April shows Schwarzenegger leading both Democrats 44% to 40%.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.