Monmouth University’s latest poll shows Gillespie and Northam tied at 44% in their race for Governor. Libertarian Cliff Hyra is at 3% and 9% of voters remain undecided. Gillespie has the support of 91% of Republican voters and Northam has 88% support among Democrats. Gillespie is ahead with the Independents, 42% to 38%.
Trump is a factor in the race. From Monmouth.edu:
Donald Trump may not be the top issue for most Virginia voters, but he is having an impact on the 2017 election. Specifically, 4-in-10 voters say that Pres. Trump is either a major factor (26%) or minor factor (14%) in deciding how they will vote for governor. Those saying Trump is a factor include 52% of Northam supporters, 32% of Gillespie supporters, and 32% of those who are undecided or are supporting the third party candidate.
“A small but crucial portion of Northam’s support is coming from voters who are primarily anti-Trump, said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute. “Unless one of the candidates breaks out with a clear advantage on Virginia-centric issues, the president could wind up as a decisive factor in the outcome.”
Murray added, “National pundits like to paint Virginia gubernatorial races as referenda on whichever president was just elected and they are almost always wrong. 2017 may turn out to be the first time you can credibly draw a direct link between the Oval Office and the race for governor.”
Only 37% of likely Virginia voters approve of the job Trump is doing while 57% disapprove. Among Gillespie supporters, 78% approve of the job Trump is doing and only 18% disapprove. Only 1% of Northam voters approve of Trump and 96% disapprove. Independent voters disapprove of Trump 60% to 22%.
