A 22-percentage point lead among women in the Connecticut governor's race gives Democrat Ned Lamont a 47 - 39 percent likely voter lead over Republican Bob Stefanowski, with 11 percent for independent candidate Oz Griebel, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released today.
Women back Lamont over Stefanowski 53 - 31 percent, with 13 percent for Griebel. Men tip Republican 46 - 41 percent, with 9 percent for Griebel. This is the first survey of this race among likely voters by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll and can not be compared to earlier surveys of registered voters.
Lamont tops Stefanowski 87 - 3 percent among Democrats, with 9 percent for Griebel. Stefanowski leads Lamont 90 - 2 percent among Republicans, with 5 percent for Griebel. Independent voters go 42 percent for Lamont, 36 percent for Stefanowski and 18 percent for Griebel.
With 27 days to go, 21 percent of Connecticut likely voters who name a candidate say they might change their mind.
Connecticut likely voters don't like their candidates very much, giving Lamont a divided 44 - 45 percent favorability rating and giving Stefanowski a slightly negative 39 - 44 percent. For Griebel, 72 percent haven't heard enough about him to form an opinion.
"Ned Lamont is ahead in the Connecticut governor's race, but with 27 days to go, Bob Stefanowski is within striking distance," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD.
"The number one issue for Connecticut voters is the economy, and Lamont wins decisively among those voters. Voters also say, however, that the most important quality in a candidate for governor is the ability to bring needed change, and among those voters, Stefanowski wins big."
The economy is the most important issue in their vote for governor, 31 percent of Connecticut likely voters say, while 26 percent cite taxes and 24 percent list government spending, with 13 percent for education.
In electing a governor, 30 percent of Connecticut likely voters most want someone who will bring needed change, while 21 percent want someone who shares their values. Another 18 percent want someone who cares about average people and 15 percent most want a governor who is honest.
Supporting a candidate who shares their opinion of President Donald Trump is important to 65 percent of likely voters, 78 percent of Democrats, 58 percent of Republicans and 61 percent of independent voters. Only 35 percent of voters say it's important to their vote if a candidate shares their opinion of Gov. Dannel Malloy.
Connecticut likely voters disapprove 59 - 39 percent of the way President Trump is doing his job.
Voters disapprove 69 - 23 percent of the job Gov. Dannel Malloy is doing.
"In deciding which candidate to support, President Donald Trump is a more important factor for voters than Gov. Dannel Malloy, although both men appear to be doing damage to their own parties," Dr. Schwartz said.
The poll also gives U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D. CT) a 15 point lead over Matthew Corey (R. CT). Let’s keep up the momentum here. Click below to donate and get involved with Lamont and his fellow Connecticut Democrats campaigns: