SUSA WA-GOV: Rossi Takes Lead For First Time

SurveyUSA Washington Poll conducted 9/5-9/7 of 658 LVs:

Fmr. State Sen. Dino Rossi (R) 48%
Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) 47%

By my count, we've had 17 polls of this race, and while almost all of them have given only a small lead to Gregoire, this is the first not to show the incumbent Democrat in the lead. But close races are nothing new to these two, who faced off in what turned out to be a bitterly contested race in 2004, where after several recounts Gregoire was certified the winner by a mere 129 votes. Rossi leads 61%-30% in Eastern Washington, but that only accounts for 21% of the vote; the 79% cast in Western Washington goes for Gregoire, but only by 52%-45%. Rossi makes just enough inroads into what should be Gregoire's base, winning 16% of Democrats and 17% of liberals.

SLIGHT ADVANTAGE FOR GREGOIRE.