By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
A new Brown University poll shows Gina Raimondo pulling ahead of opponent Allan Fung by nearly ten points, while fellow Democrats continue to lead in state races and the Providence Mayor’s race.
According to the poll of 1,129 likely Rhode Island voters (including 500 Providence voters), Raimondo leads Republican Allan Fung 41.6% to 30.5%. The poll shows nearly equal support from men and women for the Treasurer and that she leads in all age groups except for the 40-49 year olds, where the two candidates are neck-and-neck. Bob Healey polls at 9.1%, while 18% of voters still remain undecided. A previous poll by WPRI and the Providence Journal showed Raimondo leading 42% to 36%.
In the Providence Mayor’s race, Democrat Jorge Elorza leads independent Buddy Cianci by ten points, 47.6% to 37.2%. The new numbers are a reversal from previous poll from late September which showed Cianci leading 38% to 32%. Republican Dan Harrop only polled 3% and 12% of voters remain undecided.
“Democrats are coming home for Elorza,” said Brown University pollster Professor James Morone, “While Buddy Cianci still leads among Republicans, still leads among independents, he leads among African Americans; by and large Democrats, particularly East Side Democrats, are coming home for Elorza.”
Morone told WPRO’s Dan Yorke that two polls were conducted for Providence voters because of Elorza’s sudden surge. Morone said the two polls showed identical numbers.
In the down-ballot races, Democrats continue to lead, however the most surprising statistic is the amount of undecided voters in the race for Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State.
According to the poll, Democrat Dan McKee leads Republican Catherine Taylor 29.3% to 20.2%, however 47% of voters remain undecided. Similarly, Nellie Gorbea holds a 14-point lead over Repblican John Carlevale for Secretary of State, but 39% of voters still remain undecided.
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Democrat Seth Magaziner leads independent Ernie Almonte by double digits in the race for Treasurer 47% to 33%. And while no data was collected for Attorney General’s race between incumbent Peter Kilmartin and challenger Dawson Hodgson, Morone said they will be polling for the race immediately.
Brown University states the margin for error in the state races is 2.9% and in the Providence race 4.4%.
