Although both candidates are unpopular among Virginia voters, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe holds a 5-point edge over Republican state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in the Commonwealth’s 2013 gubernatorial race, according to the latest survey from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling released Wednesday.
The poll showed McAuliffe picking up the support of 42 percent of Virginia voters, while Cuccinelli trailed with 37 percent support. Those findings are virtually identical to a poll earlier this month from Quinnipiac University, which also showed McAuliffe leading by five. Both PPP and Quinnipiac surveyed a sample of registered voters.
Polls conducted in late-April and early-May by the Washington Post and NBC News/Marist used samples of likely voters, showing Cuccinelli leading by 10 points and three points respectively.
PPP’s latest release painted a picture of a race that may ultimately be won by the candidate who voters dislike less. Thirty-three percent said they have an unfavorable opinion of McAuliffe, the longtime Clinton loyalist, while 29 percent have a favorable opinion of him. But Democrats may take solace in the knowledge that Cuccinelli, a vocal social conservative, is even more unpopular: 44 percent have an unfavorable view of him compared with 32 percent who said they have a favorable view.
The PollTracker Average currently shows McAuliffe with a comparable advantage over Cuccinelli.
