A Rasmussen poll of potential matchups in the California gubernatorial race shows that state Attorney General and former Gov. Jerry Brown is a stronger Democratic nominee than San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, leading all potential Republican opponents at this stage.

General Election Matchups
Brown 44 - Whitman 35 - Und 18
Brown 45 - Poizner 32 - Und 18
Brown 44 - Campbell 34 - Und 16
Whitman 41 - Newsom 36 - Und 18
Poizner 40 - Newsom 36 - Und 18
Campbell 42 - Newsom 36 - Und 17

Primary matchups were not released yet.

Brown, seeking a comeback in the governor's office after more than two decades, is by far the best-known candidate in the field, and the only with a favorability rating above 50 percent. Newsom, who owes his statewide notoriety in part to his fight for same-sex marriage, is the only candidate with a net-negative rating. Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman polls best among the Republican candidates. But the survey was conducted just as she enjoyed a post-announcement media blitz that included a story about her spotty voting record.

Favorability Ratings
Brown 53 / 37
Newsom 41 / 44

Whitman 45 / 28
Poizner 36 / 32
Campbell 42 / 32

The automated telephone survey of 500 likely voters was conducted September 24, and had a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.