Once again, Democrat and Attorney General Jerry Brown is leading Republican and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman in the race for California's Governor. The latest poll, compliments of the Public Policy Institute of California, has found that Brown leads Whitman by eight points, or 44% to 36%, with 16% undecided. The margin of error is up to ±3.5%.
In a previous PPIC poll from September, the candidates were neck and neck: 38% for Whitman and 37% for Brown, with 18% undecided.
"Among likely voters, independents were more likely to support Whitman in September (38% Whitman, 30% Brown, 19% undecided) but are divided today (37% Whitman, 36% Brown, 19% undecided)," poll authors said. "Support for Brown has increased among Democrats (76% today, 63% September), liberals (82% today, 68% September), moderates (51% today, 39% September), women (47% today, 35% September), and Latinos (51% today, 32% September). Support for Whitman has held steady among Republicans (73% today, 71% September) and conservatives (63% today, 67% September). Men and whites remain divided."
When it comes to issues, however, likely voters believe Whitman would be better for jobs and the economy (47% to 39%) and on the state budget and taxes (48% to 40%). Brown was seen as a better fit for education (47% to 37%), the environment (57% to 25%), and immigration (43% to 37%).
The poll was based on telephone interview surveys of 2,002 California adult residents between October 10th and 17th. The sampling error is ±3.1% when all participants are taken into account, but it broadens when registered voters (1,582) and likely voters (1,067) are singled out to ±3.4% and ±3.5%, respectively.
