Latest poll: Race for governor remains tight
The race for governor remains tight, according to a new poll released Thursday.
Republican Gov. Mike Pence maintains a slight 40 percent to 36 percent lead over Democrat John Gregg — a virtual dead heat given the survey's 4 percentage point margin of error. Libertarian candidate Rex Bell trails with 2 percent.
The poll is the first since Indiana's primary two weeks ago. It shows little movement in the long-expected rematch of the two candidates' first race in 2012, when Pence defeated Gregg by a closer-than-expected 3 percentage points. A WTHR/Howey Politics Indiana Poll last month also found Pence with a four-point lead.
The newest poll was conducted by Christine Matthews of Bellwether Research and commissioned by Enterprise Republicans PAC, a group founded by former Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle, who has been critical of Pence's conservative stances on gay rights and other issues. The survey included responses from 600 registered voters from May 11 to May 15.
The poll found that Pence has been unable to make up much of the ground he lost after last year's Religious Freedom Restoration Act controversy. Only 36 percent said he should be re-elected, compared with 32 percent in a Bellwether poll conducted at Oesterle's request nearly a year ago. About 40 percent approved of his job performance this time, while 42 percent disapproved. During last year's poll, 46 percent approved and 46 percent disapproved.
Voters were more likely to trust Pence to manage the state's budget and attract jobs to the state, but more likely to trust Gregg to improve education and represent Indiana well nationally.
In other top races on the Nov. 8 ballot, the poll found that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump led Democrat Hillary Clinton in Indiana, 40 percent to 31 percent. In the race for U.S. senate, Republican Congressman Todd Young held a wide lead over Democrat and former U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, 36 percent to 22 percent.
Marty Obst, executive director of Pence's re-election campaign, said the poll results were not surprising.
“We’re happy to see yet another poll that shows us ahead of our opponent," Obst said. "As we’ve said all along, we expect a competitive race and are confident Hoosier voters will decide to keep Indiana’s economy moving forward rather than going back to the failed policies of John Gregg.”
Jeff Harris, a spokesman for Gregg's campaign, said the survey demonstrated that Hoosiers are ready for a change.
“Hoosiers are sick and tired of being embarrassed by Governor Pence and his obsession with social issues," he said. "They want a governor who will put their best interests first and focus on real issues, like jobs and education. As voters get to know John Gregg and learn more about his experience and plan to move Indiana forward, we are confident that they’ll be supporting him this November.”
Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.