PPIC CA-GOV: Whitman Leads Primary, Closest To Brown

Public Policy Institute of California Poll conducted 12/1-12/8 of 963 LVs, including 352 Republican LVs, pdf here:

Republican Primary:

Fmr. EBay CEO Meg Whitman 32%
Fmr. Rep. Tom Campbell 12%
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner 8%

General Election:

Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) 43%
Fmr. EBay CEO Meg Whitman (R) 37%

Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) 46%
Fmr. Rep. Tom Campbell (R) 34%

Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) 47%
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner (R) 31%

The first bunch of polls from the Golden State showed the Republican Primary pretty much a 3-way tie, but Whitman's money and organization now seem to have her in the driver's seat. Poizner continues to struggle mightily, despite being the only one of the 3 Republican candidates to win statewide before-he actually is viewed unfavorably by more Republicans (14%) than favorably (12%). The other big sign that Whitman's favored in the Primary are the reports coming out that Campbell is thinking of switching over to the Senate race instead.

Just as Whitman is building a Primary lead, she also looks to be the most likely Republican to hold the seat against Brown. Californians definitely want a change, something someone from the private sector (Whitman) would provide, but Brown has also shown that he can be a competent Governor (he was Governor from 1975-1983). Brown starts with much higher name ID, but voters are pretty evenly divided about both. Whitman has a 22%/19% favorable rating, while Brown is at 35%/36%, and voters overall don't seem to thrilled with the choices. One problem for Whitman, vying to be California's first female Governor, is that she doesn't seem be attracting too many women-she's tied with Brown among men but trails by 12 among women.

STRONG ADVANTAGE FOR BROWN.