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The poll showed Abercrombie's general election race could be more competitive than the state's typically Democratic lean would suggest. Abercrombie, who is serving his 10th full term in office, led Republican Lieutenant Gov. James "Duke" Aiona 45 to 36 percent with 19 percent undecided in a hypothetical general election match-up.

Hannemann fared nearly as well as Abercrombie when Hannemann was pitted against Aiona. Results of a general election match-up showed Hanneman with 44 percent, Aiona received 34 percent and 22 percent remained undecided.

But much time remains until the Sept. 18, 2010 primary.

Democrats are eager to take back the governor's mansion in Hawaii. If Democrats were to win the governor's race as well as the open seat race to succeed Abercrombie in his Democratic-leaning 1st District, Democrats would then hold all of the state's U.S. House seats, its two U.S. Senate seats, as well as majorities in the state legislature.

Abercrombie said he hopes to build on the Democratic momentum Honolulu-born president Barack Obama brought to the state last year during the presidential campaign. The state supported Obama with 72 percent of the vote to 27 percent for Republican John McCain.

CQ Politics rates the general election race Democrat Favored.

-Rachel Kapochunas

To follow the 2009 and 2010 governors' races, check out CQ Politics' election map.