Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Money
  • Election 2020
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Money
    Election 2020
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

‘Undecided’ tops gubernatorial poll; Bysiewicz ahead in AG race despite negative news

  • by Mark Pazniokas
  • March 18, 2010
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Tom Foley, the only candidate airing television commercials, has opened a lead in the Republican race for governor, while Ned Lamont and Dannel P. Malloy top the Democratic field, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

But the two gubernatorial contests remain wide open, with 50 percent of Republican voters and 44 percent of Democrats saying they are undecided.

In the race for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, the best known candidate, remains in the lead, despite questions about whether she meets the minimum statutory qualifications for the job.

The biggest loser in the new poll is Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposal to broaden legalized gambling with electronic Keno games in bars and restaurants. It is overwhelmingly opposed, 70 percent to 27 percent.

Gov Rep 3-18-10

In the race for governor, Foley was supported by 30 percent of Republicans, up from 17 percent in January. No other candidate attracted more than 4 percent. He is a Greenwich businessman and a former U.S. ambassador.

“Even Foley, however, is largely unknown to Republicans and the big winner is still undecided,” said Douglas Schwartz, the director of the poll. Foley was unknown to 57 percent of Republicans.

Lt. Gov. Michael C. Fedele lost half his support, dropping from 8 percent to 4 percent among Republicans. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton dropped from 6 percent to 4 percent.

“We are flattered and encouraged by the results of this poll,” Foley said.

But an adviser to Oz Griebel, one of Foley’s Republican competitors, suggested that Foley was getting a disappointing return for his television investment.

“As a former CEO, I know that running a business and making substantial investments coupled with significant market saturation — and not being able to demonstrate results — is troubling,” said Ramani Ayer, the former head of The Hartford.

Lamont, another Greenwich businessman whose political profile was established by his run for U.S. Senate in 2006, leads Malloy, a former Stamford mayor who ran for governor four years ago, 28 percent to 18 percent. No other Democrat topped 4 percent.

With no one on the air yet, the Democratic race is relatively static, compared to the GOP contest. Lamont’s support increased by a statistically insignificant one percentage point since January, while Malloy picked up 7 points.

“This is the third poll in a row where Ned is up by double digits over his closest challenger,” said Justine Sessions, Lamont’s spokeswoman.”Ned’s business background and his focus on creating jobs are resonating with voters, and this comes before campaign season has even kicked into high gear.

But Lamont’s lead over Malloy also has shrunk from 16 points in January to 10 points today. Two months ago, Lamont led 27 percent to 11 percent.

“Is Ned really highlighting a poll that shows his lead shrinking? That’s an interesting strategy. But what’s more interesting is the fact that Dan increased his vote share by 64% without spending a dime on paid communications. Ned’s numbers didn’t move,” said Roy Occhiogrosso, a Malloy strategist.

With most of the campaigning so far has been directed to potential convention delegates, no Democrat has yet engaged the broader electorate. Any early poll provides limited insight into primary voters, Schwartz has said. Quinnipiac did not attempt to screen its respondents for likely primary voters.

Both parties will endorse candidates at nominating conventions in May, when any candidate who wins 15 percent of the delegate vote automatically qualifies for a primary. Candidates also can petition for a spot on the ballot. The primaries are Aug. 10.

With Rell not seeking re-election, there will be an open seat in the governor’s race for the first time since 1994, when Lowell P. Weicker Jr. did not run after one term. The result is more than a dozen candidates either running or exploring a run this year.

Eight Republicans will share the stage tonight in a debate to be televised live on Connecticut NBC at 7 p.m. They are: Foley, Fedele, Boughton, Griebel, Newington Mayor Jeffrey Wright, Chester First Selectman Tom Marsh, former Congressman Larry DeNardis and Christopher Duffy Acevedo.

Six Democrats will debate Friday at 7 p.m.: Lamont, Malloy, Simsbury First Selectwoman Mary Glassman, former state Rep. Juan Figueroa, Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura.

The new poll found Rell’s approval rating dipping from 64 percent to 59 percent. The legislature’s approval rating dropped two points to 28 percent, a new low.

Bysiewicz is maintaining a healthy lead in the Democratic contest for attorney general, even as she has had to go to court to seek a ruling declaring her qualified to run. She also has had to explain why her office has maintained what appear to be political files on her contacts with voters.

Gov Dem 3-18-10

“Despite negative headlines, Susan Bysiewicz is still way ahead in the Democratic primary for attorney general,” Schwartz said. “One has to wonder how long she can maintain her big lead if the various controversies surrounding her campaign continue.”

She leads former state Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen, 54 percent to 10 percent, with no other candidate backed by more than 2 percent and 31 percent undecided.

State Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-Goshen, was preferred for attorney general by 13 percent of Republicans, trailed by Martha Dean at 9 percent and John Pavia with 8 percent. SIxty-six percent had no preference.

The poll is based on a telephone survey of 1,451 self-identified registered voters from March 9 to 15. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.

The Republican sample of 387 voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. The Democratic sample of 549 has a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points.

 

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Pazniokas

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Connecticut’s $90M lobbying industry has a new player: former Speaker Joe Aresimowicz
by Mark Pazniokas

Former House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz is becoming a lobbyist, but a revolving-door law limits him for a year.

Spiking tax revenue will wipe out state budget deficit, analysts say
by Keith M. Phaneuf

Projected state revenues skyrocketed by $1.7 billion Friday, positioning officials to balance the next state budget without tax hikes.

Judge approves shorter sentence for convicted murderer turned prison mentor
by Kelan Lyons

The DOC could start screening Clyde Meikle in July for discharge to a halfway house.

Without vocal dissent, Senate confirms Justice Andrew McDonald
by Mark Pazniokas

The state Senate acted quickly Friday to confirm Andrew J. McDonald to a second term on the Supreme Court.

Funding to fix CT’s roads and bridges is drying up, and officials don’t have a solution
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Kasturi Pananjady

Connecticut's transportation building program is on a financial diet after a five-year ramp-up after lawmakers rejected tolls.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Evidence not clear that Trump incited Capitol destruction
by Alan Calandro

Defending President Donald Trump is not popular and I have no interest in writing this other than adherence to truth. Recognizing the truth (if we can find it, which is not always possible of course) should make us be able to come together around that and move on with a common understanding.

Opinion Securing our nuclear legacy: An open letter to President-elect Joe Biden
by Erik Assadourian

Dear President-elect Biden: As you noted in a tweet shortly after protestors stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, “Today is a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile.” Indeed it is. And so are nation-states.

Opinion Last votes of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others
by Gary A. Franks

Finally, the election season is over. The historic elections we saw in this cycle were intriguing. The runoff elections for the U.S. Senate in Georgia put a cap on the campaign season. For many people this could be described as a COVID-19 election. I would argue that this was an election influenced by a pandemic but determined by the killing of unarmed Black people with no adequate justice for the Black community.

Opinion Not just environmental problem; Killingly plant is a great target
by Joel Gordes

In 1990, I was one of five legislators to introduce the first climate change legislation that became PA 90-219, An Act Considering Climate Change, the most popular bill of that session. Back then I considered climate change a national security issue… and I still do.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO