Brown leads Newsom for governor; Republicans undecided, Field poll finds [Updated]
Jerry Brown has a solid lead against Gavin Newsom in the Democratic governor's race, but the race is much more wide open on the Republican side, according to a new Field Poll.
Brown, the former governor and current attorney general, had 47% support while Newsom, the San Francisco mayor had 27%, according to the poll.
On the Republican side, 49% of Field respondents were undecided, while 22% favored former EBay executive Meg Whitman, 20% backed former Rep. Tom Campbell 20% and 9% backed state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.
"Each of the potential Democratic contenders are known to large majorities of this state’s voters, whereas only small proportions hold an opinion of the three Republicans," according to analysis by Field. "When voters are asked to choose between the Democrats and their lesser known GOP rivals in general election match-ups, both Brown and Newsom best each of the Republicans. Brown’s leads, however, are large and range from 21 to 25 points. By contrast, Newsom’s leads are in the single digits."
Older voters tended to favor Brown while younger voters tilted toward Newsom, the poll found.
Whitman was polling stronger in Southern California, while Campbell had a slight edge in Northern California. [Updated: Whitman and Campbell were essentially tied in Northern California once the poll's margin of error is taken into account.]
The Field Poll surveyed 1,005 registered voters in California between Sept. 18 and Oct. 5.
-- Shelby Grad
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
I'm one Democrat who won't vote for Brown. He was a bad governor last time and I'm not about to give him a second chance.
Posted by: Bob/SDCA | October 08, 2009 at 10:32 AM
How about asking those who support Campbell if they approve of his plan to raise gasoline taxes by 32 cents a gallon? Or Whitman supporters about Van Jones?
And if a Democrat gets elected, I'll be forced to close my business. Maybe I should have an illegitimate child by then and collect Welfare. Or maybe they can extend Unemployment benefits to infinity. If either Brown or Newsom get elected, we're screwed.
How many Yuan do you think the Obama Administration can get for the entire State of California?
Posted by: Michael | October 08, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Newsom is the guy! I am voting for new ideas
Posted by: Pachecosita | October 08, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Whatever you do, DON'T vote for Newsom.
Posted by: TrueBlue | October 08, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Governor Moonbeam or Governor Fruitcake? Huh?
Perhaps the Democrats ought to think about stop pandering to the extreme left of their party. Neither will win against a centrist candidate with a mandate to get the state's financial house in order.
Posted by: Big Jim Slade | October 08, 2009 at 11:14 AM
From the update it looks like the LA Times caved to a call from the Whitman campaign?
Posted by: JoeH from Los Angeles | October 08, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Brown was a great governor! He's brilliant, articulate and honest. He is probably the only person with the connections, tenacity and intelligence to fix California.
He's pro-labor, has fought Standard Oil of California, International Telephone and Telegraph, Gulf Oil, and Mobil for violation of campaign-finance laws, and he played an important role in the drafting and passage of the California Fair Political Practices Act. He is a strong environmentalist. he appointed both the first black and Latino judges to the CA Supreme Court. He supports the process of law, even when he may personally disagree with a particular law.
Vote for Brown and let's get this state back on track!
Posted by: JulieBeardsley | October 08, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Are Californians really that stupid to vote for a Democrat?
We are broke people...no more liberals!
Posted by: KKENT | October 08, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Here is an Idea. Dont vote for either of them. Both are bad, just in different areas.
Posted by: eric | October 08, 2009 at 01:16 PM
no more Jerry. no Newsom, period.
Posted by: brianguy | October 08, 2009 at 01:41 PM
both these guys stink. thanks but no thanks.
Posted by: brianguy | October 08, 2009 at 05:41 PM