Democratic front-frunner
state Senator Dina Titus has taken the lead over Republican Congressman Jim Gibbons in the race for Governor of Nevada, according to the latest Rasmussen Report.
The Rasmussen survey was of 500 LVs and showed Titus with 44 to Gibbons' 40 percent, which is an 9 point gain on the last Rasmussen survey (which had Gibbons ahead by 5, 46-41). This is the first independent survey to show Titus ahead.
Indicative of the strong campaign Titus has been waging, she put Gibbons on the defensive today about his vote to grant tax subsidies to oil companies, while gas prices in NV average over $3 per gallon.
From the Titus' camp press release about the poll:
The Rasmussen Reports survey shows Dina Titus ahead of Jim Gibbons by a 44 to 40 percent margin, with 10 percent of voters undecided and 6 percent supporting another candidate. The new poll follows a January 2006 Rasmussen Reports survey that had Jim Gibbons leading Dina Titus by 46 to 41 percent.
"This survey is strong evidence that Dina Titus' message is taking hold while Jim Gibbons' record is being rejected," said Marlene Lockard, political director for the Dina Titus for Governor campaign. "Nevada voters are responding to Dina Titus' plans to improve education, restore ethics in government and lower energy costs through renewable energy -- and they are recognizing that a congressman who has supported huge tax breaks for oil companies, opposed tougher ethics rules and done little for education should not lead this state.
"As this campaign progresses, the contrasts will become even clearer, and we expect more Nevadans will endorse the change from `politics as usual' that Dina Titus represents," Lockard said.