Election 2010: Nevada Governor

Nevada Governor: Sandoval 55%, Reid 34%

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Republican Brian Sandoval now leads Rory Reid by 21 points in Nevada’s race for governor, but even embattled GOP incumbent Jim Gibbons has moved into a virtual tie with the Democratic hopeful.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in Nevada shows Sandoval, a former state attorney general and judge, now leading Reid 55% to 34%. A month ago, the GOP frontrunner was ahead by 18 points, 53% to 35%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.

But Reid also now trails his two other top GOP rivals. His father, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, continues to struggle against his three top Republican opponents in the state’s U.S. Senate race.

Mike Montandon, the mayor of North Las Vegas, posts a 45% to 38% lead over Rory Reid, currently chairman of the influential Clark County Board of Commissioners. Given that match-up, nine percent (9%) like some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided. In March, Montandon had a 42% to 37% lead.

Gibbons, whose unpopularity is attested to by the challenges for the governor nomination within his own party, now edges Reid 45% to 43%, after trailing the Democrat by eight points a month ago. Eight percent (8%) want some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.

With Sandoval in the race, Republicans capture 25% of the Democratic voter. Voters not affiliated with either party favor the Republicans.

Nevada Republicans will pick their nominee in a June 8 primary.

Although he has been the subject of several scandals and investigations, Gibbons filed for reelection in March. He attributes his low approval ratings to the same bad economy that has hurt perceptions of other sitting governors. Forth-two percent (42%) now approve of his job performance, with seven percent (7%) who Strongly Approve. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disapprove of the job he is doing, including 37% who Strongly Disapprove.

Gibbons has directed Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to file a lawsuit against the federal government over the constitutionality of the requirement in the new health care plan that every American buy or obtain health insurance. But the Democratic attorney general has refused, so Gibbons is now seeking ways to pursue the litigation without her agreement. Support for repeal of the health care plan is stronger in Nevada than it is nationally, and 54% of the state’s voters would like Nevada to join the 14 other states that are suing the federal government over the health plan.

Just nine percent (9%) of voters in the state have a very favorable view of Gibbons, while 35% view him very unfavorably.

Sandoval is viewed very favorably by 20% and very unfavorably by nine percent (9%).

For Montandon, very favorables are five percent (5%) and very unfavorables are eight percent (8%).

Reid is viewed very favorably by 17%, very unfavorably by 37%.

At this point in a campaign, Rasmussen Reports considers the number of people with a strong opinion more significant than the total favorable/unfavorable numbers.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_ ... a_governor