Oregon Voters Approve of Kitzhaber

September 3, 2009 3:56 PM | | Comments (0)

As former Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber prepares his comeback bid in Oregon, a Sept. 1 SurveyUSA poll shows registered voters retain a positive opinion of him, with a favorable rating of 33 percent and an unfavorable rating of 26 percent.

An additional 26 percent of respondents were neutral and 15 percent expressed no opinion of Kitzhaber. The poll’s margin of error was plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.

Kitzhaber, who served as governor from 1995 to 2003, announced Wednesday he will run for the open seat in 2010. Democratic Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski is term-limited.

Kitzhaber became the instant Democratic front-runner upon his entry to the race, though he may face strong primary competition. Bill Bradbury, Oregon’s former secretary of State, has been preparing a potential campaign. SurveyUSA’s poll showed Bradbury’s favorable rating at 21 percent and unfavorable at 20 percent. But most voters surveyed had no opinion (26 percent) or were neutral (33 percent) regarding Bradbury.

Republicans continue their search for a top recruit, but businessman Allen Alley, who ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2006, is actively campaigning for the GOP nomination. Alley appears to be less well-known with 51 percent of poll respondents expressing no opinion about Alley and 31 percent stating they are neutral. An additional 8 percent gave him a favorable rating and 10 percent were unfavorable.

Democrats continue to hold an edge in Oregon, but statewide candidates must also court a large number of unaffiliated voters in the state.

CQ Politics rates the race Leans Democratic.

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

— Rachel Kapochunas

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Categories: SurveyUSA

Tags: Alley, Bradbury, Governor, Kitzhaber, Oregon

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