Poll: California Political Races for Governor and Senator Are Close Calls

Like the Field Polls released earlier this month, the environmental polls released today by the Pubic Policy Institute of California (PPIC), also show that races for top ticket seats on the November Ballot are close.

In the gubernatorial race, Democrat and Attorney General Jerry Brown leads Republican and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman by three points (37% to her 34%). "Of those saying that a candidate’s environmental positions are very important in determining their vote, 50 percent would vote for Brown and 16 percent would vote for Whitman," noted the poll. "Among those who say a candidate’s environmental positions are somewhat important, Whitman is favored (42% to 33%)."

In a much more random poll, per LAObserved, iPhone users are more likely to vote for Brown while Blackberry users lean more towards Whitman.

Back to the PPIC poll, the Senate race is also close, which 39% supporting Democrat incumbent Barbara Boxer and 34% supporting former Hewlett-Packard CEO and Republican Carly Fiorina. "Those who view candidates’ positions on the environment as very important are three times as likely to support Boxer (54%) as Fiorina (18%). Among those who say candidates’ views on the environment are somewhat important, support is evenly divided (37% to 37%)," said the poll.

Also, President Barack Obama's approval rating in California (56%) has dropped 9 points since last Summer and 16 points since May 2009, when it was at its highest (72%). His environmental approval rating is 49%. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's overall approval rating sits at 25% and the state legislature at a whole 15%.