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Dems Lead By Double Digits In CT Governor And Senate Races, Quinnipiac University Connecticut Poll Finds; Women Are A Key Factor In Both Races

In Connecticut's race for governor, Democratic incumbent Ned Lamont leads his Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski 57 - 40 percent, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University poll of likely voters in Connecticut released today.

This is Quinnipiac University's first poll of likely voters in Connecticut's 2022 election and cannot be compared to results of earlier polls of registered voters.

Democrats (97 - 3 percent) back Lamont, while Republicans (82 - 17 percent) and independents (51 - 44 percent) back Stefanowski.

There is a big gender gap. Women support Lamont 63 - 35 percent. Men are divided, with 50 percent supporting Lamont and 47 percent supporting Stefanowski.

Likely voters give Lamont a positive 54 - 36 percent favorability rating.

They give Stefanowski a negative 33 - 39 percent favorability rating with roughly one-quarter (27 percent) saying they haven't heard enough about him.

An overwhelming majority of likely voters (84 percent) who support a candidate in the race for governor say their minds are made up about how they will cast their vote, while 15 percent say they might change their minds before the election.

"Seventeen points is by any measure a huge lead. Barring a calamity, it certainly looks like a cruise control ride up I-91 and back to the statehouse in Hartford for Governor Lamont," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Doug Schwartz.

SENATE RACE

In the race for U.S. Senate in Connecticut, Democratic incumbent Richard Blumenthal, who's seeking a third term, leads Republican challenger Leora Levy 57 - 40 percent.

Democrats (97 - 2 percent) back Blumenthal, while Republicans (87 - 11 percent) back Levy. Independents are divided, with 48 percent backing Levy and 47 percent backing Blumenthal.

Similar to the governor's race, there is a big gender gap. Women support Blumenthal 64 - 33 percent. Men are evenly split, with 48 percent supporting Blumenthal and 48 percent supporting Levy.

Likely voters give Blumenthal a positive 51 - 39 percent favorability rating.

Likely voters give Levy a mixed favorability rating. Twenty-seven percent have a favorable opinion of her, while 29 percent have an unfavorable opinion of her and 44 percent say they haven't heard enough about her.

Similar to the governor's race, an overwhelming majority of likely voters (89 percent) who support a candidate in the Senate race say their minds are made up about how they will cast their vote, while 10 percent say they might change their minds before the election.

BIDEN/TRUMP FACTOR IN SENATE RACE

Nineteen percent of likely voters say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express support for Joe Biden, while 23 percent say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express opposition to Joe Biden, and 57 percent say Joe Biden will not be a factor in their vote.

Ten percent of likely voters say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express support for Donald Trump, while 29 percent say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express opposition to Donald Trump, and 59 percent say Donald Trump will not be a factor in their vote.

Likely voters give Trump a negative 27 - 65 percent favorability rating.

"Is it shaping up to be a big blue state blowout for Blumenthal? GOP Senate candidate and Trump enthusiast Leora Levy certainly gets no assist from Trump's 27 percent favorability rating in the state as Blumenthal gets strong support from women," added Schwartz.

MOST URGENT ISSUE

Asked to choose the most urgent issue facing Connecticut today, inflation (32 percent) ranks first among likely voters followed by taxes (20 percent). No other issue reached double digits.

Among Republicans, inflation (48 percent) ranks first followed by taxes (31 percent).

Among Democrats, the top issues are inflation (20 percent), climate change (14 percent), abortion (12 percent), and health care (10 percent).

Among independents, the top issues are inflation (33 percent) and taxes (26 percent).

JOB APPROVALS

Job approval ratings for Connecticut elected officials...

  • Governor Ned Lamont: 58 percent approve, while 36 percent disapprove;
  • Senator Richard Blumenthal: 56 percent approve, while 38 percent disapprove;
  • Senator Chris Murphy: 54 percent approve, while 35 percent disapprove.

Connecticut likely voters are evenly split on President Joe Biden's job performance with 48 percent approving and 48 percent disapproving.

1,911 likely Connecticut voters were surveyed from September 15th - 19th with a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.

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