Just a couple of days after the Democratic primary, Rasmussen Reports has Democrat Creigh Deeds leading Republican Bob McDonnell in the race for governor of Virginia.
The first poll of Virginia voters since Deeds' Tuesday victory showed Deeds with 47 percent of the vote compared to 41 percent for McDonnell with 2 percent favoring other candidates and 10 percent remaining undecided. Forty-two percent also said they believe Deeds will win in November, compared to 34 percent who think McDonnell will win.
These numbers show continued momentum for Deeds, who was expected to lose to Terry McAuliffe, he of the fat wallet and celebrity friends, but came back to earn a Washington Post endorsement and rout McAuliffe and former state Delegate Brian Moran.
The poll also asked voters who they preferred on some specific issues:
- Taxes: 44 percent McDonnell, 36 percent Deeds, 20 percent unsure
- Cutting government spending: 36 percent McDonnell, 33 percent Deeds, 27 percent undecided
- Transportation: 43 percent Deeds, 29 percent McDonnell, 28 percent undecided
McDonnell defeated Deeds in a close race for attorney general in 2005.
