Tom Foley, the Republican nominee for governor, on HANRadio.com in New Canaan in August. (Aaron Marsh photo)
Republican Tom Foley continues to lose ground in his rematch against Gov. Dannel Malloy, according to another poll.
After an earlier poll this week had Mr. Foley trailing the one-term Democrat by eight points, Quinnipiac University released its latest poll Wednesday, showing a tie between the two men who competed in one of the closest governor’s races in Connecticut history four years ago.
Less than a month ago, Mr. Foley led Mr. Malloy 46%-40%, according to Quinnipiac. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the Connecticut-based polling organization, had the two tied with 43% each; conservative independent candidate Jo Visconti drew the support of 9% of potential voters.
Gov. Dannel Malloy in wilton earlier this year. (Christopher Burns photo)
Earlier this year, Mr. Malloy was considered one of the most vulnerable incumbent governors in the nation. But there now is not a poll out in the past month that has Mr. Foley with a lead — something he had enjoyed most of this year.
If Mr. Visconti dropped out of the race, Mr. Malloy and Mr. Foley would still be tied with 46% each, according the Q-Poll.
In the last four weeks, Mr. Malloy has cut Mr. Foley’s lead among men from 19% to 11%, while the Democrat’s lead among women grows from 7% to 11%.
In today’s three-way matchup, women back Mr. Malloy 47% to 36%, with 10% for Mr. Visconti, while men back Mr. Foley 50% to 39%, with 8% for Mr. Visconti. Mr. Foley leads 82%-9% among Republicans, with 6% for Mr. Visconti, and 47%-37% among independent voters, with 11% for Mr. Visconti. Democrats back Mr. Malloy 77%-9%, with 9% for Mr. Visconti.
Among Connecticut likely voters who name a candidate, 74% say their mind is made up, while 25% say they might change their mind by Election Day. Their minds are made up, say 73% of Malloy voters and 81% of Foley backers, while 56% of Visconti supporters say they might change their mind.
“The poll is good news for Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy. After trailing Republican Tom Foley by 6 points a month ago, Malloy is tied as this race promises to go down to the wire,” said Douglas Schwartz, PhD, director of the Quinnipiac University poll.
“Malloy has been able to cut into Foley’s lead among men while increasing his lead among women, to break even over all. There is a gender gap in the race with Malloy ahead by 11 percentage points among women and Foley up 11 points among men,” Schwartz said. “While there are only 5% of likely voters undecided, 25% of voters could still change their minds.
“It looks like we’re heading for another photo finish — just like in 2010.”
Connecticut likely voters are not overly fond of any of the candidates:
• Mr. Malloy gets a negative 41%-51% favorability, compared to his negative 40%-53% grade on Sept. 10;
• Mr. Foley gets a split 41%-39% favorability, compared to a positive 42%-33% rating last month;
• 86% of voters still don’t know enough about Mr. Visconti to form an opinion, little changed from his 89% “don’t know enough” rating last month.
“As the campaign has gotten nasty, voters are not wild about either candidate,” Dr. Schwartz said. “Malloy’s favorability rating is still underwater. Foley gets a mixed favorability rating. He is a little better known since early September, but a little less liked.
“Voters like Foley less since our last poll. Foley’s negatives have risen perhaps due to Malloy’s attacks.”
From Oct. 1-6, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,085 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 3%.
On Monday, Public Policy Polling released its first survey of Connecticut this election season, which had Mr. Malloy leading 43%-35% over Mr. Foley. Mr. Visconti also had 9% of the vote in that poll.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research.
You can download the complete poll results here: Connecticut Governor’s Quinnipiac Poll Oct. 8, 2014