California governor’s race in dead heat, poll shows

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Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown are locked in a virtual dead heat in the race for governor, a new Field Poll shows.

The survey, conducted from June 22 to July 5, shows Brown with a 43% to 44% lead, well within the poll’s margin of error. In a statement released with the poll, Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo said, “About 4 in 10 likely voters now hold positive impressions of each candidate, while about 4 in 10 others hold negative views. The current findings represent a further sag in voter attitudes toward Brown, who possessed a two-to-one favorable image with voters last year.”

The survey also shows deeply divided opinions about Whitman. 42% of those surveyed said they had an unfavorable opinion of the former EBay chief executive, and 40% viewed her positively.

You can download the poll here.

-- Anthony York in Sacramento

Photos, from left: Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman talks with supporters after a campaign event in Roseville, Calif., on June 29, 2010. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press. California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, speaks to the California District Attorneys Assn. in Monterey, Calif. on June 29, 2010. Credit: Vern Fisher / Associated Press