MD Gov Poll: O'Malley Maintains Lead Over Ehrlich
When we last heard from former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), he said the results of the New Jersey governor election were encouraging to him as he considered a potential rematch in 2010 with Gov. Martin O'Malley. Surely the result in Massachusetts last night give him further reason to jump back into the fray in equally blue Maryland. But a new poll from Gonzales Research (816 RVs, 1/13-17, MoE +/- 3.5%) shows that Ehrlich would start with some ground to make up.
General Election Matchup
O'Malley (D) 48 (-1 vs. last poll, 9/8-17)
Ehrlich (R) 39 (+1)
Und 13 (unch)
Independents, which have swung overwhelmingly to Republicans in the elections in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia, still narrowly favor O'Malley by a margin of 39-36 percent. When Ehrlich was elected governor in 2002, he received support from 30 percent of Democrats. This poll shows only 16 percent would cross and support the Republican this time.
Both President Obama and O'Malley have maintained positive job approval scores, though O'Malley remains below 50 percent -- a red flag for any incumbent. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D), also facing re-election this fall, remains immensely popular.
Job Approval
Pres. Obama 56 / 30
O'Malley 46 / 36
Mikulski 64 / 23