Skip to Content

Georgia Governor's Race: Too Close To Call, Quinnipiac University Georgia Poll Finds; Georgia Senate Race: Warnock Leads Walker 52% - 46%

The Georgia governor's race is too close to call as 50 percent of likely voters support Republican incumbent Brian Kemp and 48 percent support Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University poll of likely voters in Georgia released today.

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

Republicans (98 - 1 percent) back Kemp, while Democrats (97 - 2 percent) back Abrams. Independents are split, with 50 percent backing Abrams and 48 percent backing Kemp.

Nearly all likely voters (94 percent) who support a candidate in the race for governor say their minds are made up about how they will cast their vote, while 5 percent say they might change their minds before the election.

Fifty percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Brian Kemp, while 43 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him.

Likely voters are split in their opinion of Stacey Abrams, as 47 percent have a favorable opinion of her and 46 percent have an unfavorable opinion of her.

"No cushion and no comfort zone for either candidate as the Georgia governor's race roars to a finish and with the vast majority of voters saying they've already made their choice, there's little wiggle room for either candidate," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

SENATE RACE

In the race for U.S. Senate in Georgia, Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock leads Republican challenger Herschel Walker 52 - 46 percent.

Democrats (97 - 3 percent) and independents (55 - 41 percent) back Warnock, while Republicans (91 - 6 percent) back Walker.

Nearly all likely voters (96 percent) who support a candidate in the Senate race say their minds are made up about how they will cast their vote, while 4 percent say they might change their minds before the election.

Fifty percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Raphael Warnock, while 44 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him.

Forty percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Herschel Walker, while 51 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him.

"Herschel Walker is down but not out of the race for Senate. However, incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock rides the overwhelming support of African Americans and wins big on favorability, the catchall polling measurement for everything from character to potential job performance," added Malloy.

Nineteen percent of likely voters say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express support for Joe Biden, while 29 percent say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express opposition to Joe Biden, and 50 percent say Joe Biden will not be a factor in their vote.

Fourteen percent of likely voters say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express support for Donald Trump, while 18 percent say one reason for their vote for U.S. Senator will be to express opposition to Donald Trump, and 67 percent say Donald Trump will not be a factor in their vote.

MOST URGENT ISSUE

Asked to choose the most urgent issue facing Georgia today, inflation (41 percent) ranks first among likely voters followed by abortion (12 percent), election laws (12 percent), and gun violence (12 percent).

There are big differences by party identification.

Among Republicans, inflation (73 percent) ranks first with no other issue reaching double digits.

Among Democrats, the top issues are abortion (23 percent), election laws (17 percent), racial inequality (17 percent), gun violence (14 percent), and health care (12 percent).

Among independents, inflation (43 percent) ranks first followed by election laws (13 percent), abortion (12 percent), and gun violence (12 percent).

"What troubles Georgians most? It varies by party. Republicans and independents say it's inflation. For Democrats, it's abortion," added Malloy.

MIDTERM ELECTIONS: ABORTION

More than 8 in 10 likely voters (81 percent) say when thinking about this year's midterm elections, it's either very important (57 percent) or somewhat important (24 percent) that a political candidate shares their view on abortion, while 17 percent say it's either not so important (8 percent) or not important at all (9 percent).

CASTING BALLOTS

For the 2022 general elections, a majority of likely voters (54 percent) plan to vote in person at an early voting location, 33 percent plan to vote in person on Election Day, and 12 percent plan to vote early by mail or absentee ballot.

JOB APPROVALS

Job approval ratings for Georgia elected officials...

  • Governor Brian Kemp: 51 percent approve, while 44 percent disapprove;
  • Senator Raphael Warnock: 52 percent approve, while 44 percent disapprove;
  • Senator Jon Ossoff: 48 percent approve, while 40 percent disapprove.

Forty-four percent of likely voters approve of the way President Joe Biden is handling his job, while 53 percent disapprove.

1,278 likely Georgia voters were surveyed from September 8th - 12th with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 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.

Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll

Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.

Poll Questions