The new Rasmussen poll of the Georgia gubernatorial race gives Republican former Congressman Nathan Deal, who just won his primary runoff by a narrow margin this week, the lead over Democratic former Gov. Roy Barnes.
The numbers: Deal 51%, Barnes 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from three weeks ago, conducted while Deal was fighting out the Republican runoff with Karen Handel, Deal led Barnes by 49%-43%. The TPM Poll Average gives Deal a lead of 50.6%-42.6%.
From the pollster’s analysis: “Republicans seem to have come together quickly following Deal’s 50.2% to 49.8% runoff win this week over Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, who quickly endorsed the victor. Deal earns 92% support from Republicans in the state. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Georgia Democrats back Barnes. Voters not affiliated with either major party prefer the Republican by a 56% to 33% margin.”
