For the third straight time in a Rasmussen Reports election poll, Democrat Maria Cantwell leads Republican Mike McGavick by fifteen percentage points.

A poll conducted January 2 found Cantwell with 51% of the vote while McGavick was at 36%. Our polls in December 2005 and November 2005 both found Cantwell leading 52%-37%.

While the poll results are encouraging for Cantwell, she remains barely above the 50% threshold of voter support. Incumbents who poll below 50% are generally considered vulnerable.

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Governor Chistine Gregoire (D) has a 55% Job Approval rating among the state's voters. Forty-two percent (42%) disapprove.

Cantwell is viewed favorably by 58% of Washington voters, down from 60% in the December poll. Thirty-eight percent (38%) have an unfavorable opinion of their Senator.

McGavick has lower name recognition, and his favorables are down a bit from the prior survey. Thirty-eight percent (38%) have a favorable opinion of the Safeco CEO, while 34% have an unfavorable opinion.

Visit our Election Polls page to see a summary of our latest state-by state polling. Rasmussen Reports is polling every Senate and Governors' race at least once a month this year.

Crosstabs and poll results for the Governor's race are available for Premium Members.