Malloy Leading Foley In Latest Quinnipiac Polling

HAMDEN — Fueled by the Democrats’ big voter registration lead, former Stamford mayor Dan Malloy leads former ambassador Tom Foley, the Republican, 50-41 percent among likely voters in the Connecticut governor’s race, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released September 15.

But eight percent are undecided and 26 percent of those who do name a candidate say they could change their mind by Election Day. This is the independent Quinnipiac University’s first general election likely voter survey in Connecticut in this election cycle and can not be compared to earlier surveys of registered voters.

In this survey, conducted by telephone with live interviewers, Malloy leads 86-8 percent among Democrats, while Foley leads 83-14 percent among Republicans. Independent voters split 42-42 percent. Malloy leads 53-38 percent among women and 48-43 percent among men.

Among those backing Malloy, 17 percent say their vote is mainly against Foley, while 72 percent say they mainly are pro-Malloy. Foley backers are 28 percent anti-Malloy and 60 percent pro-Foley.

“The races for governor and US Senate in Connecticut are both in play, with the Democrats holding on to single-digits leads,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD.

“The big difference between the governor’s race and the Senate race is that the gubernatorial candidates are much less well-known than the Senate candidates. Tom Foley and Dan Malloy will have a tough time competing for attention with Linda McMahon and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.”

“As the trailing candidate, getting more attention is especially important for Foley,” Dr Schwartz added.

“Key to deciding the governor’s race are independent voters, especially the 16 percent of independents who are undecided right now.”

Connecticut voters have a 46-21 percent favorable opinion of Malloy, with 30 percent who have not heard enough about him to form an opinion.

Foley gets a 34-24 percent favorability, with 39 percent who have not formed an opinion.

“Change” is the top quality voters want in their next governor as 32 percent say bringing “needed change to Hartford” is the quality that matters most in their vote. Another 23 percent want a candidate who shares their values, followed by 21 percent looking for experience and 20 looking for a candidate who is honest and trustworthy. Malloy leads on all counts as voters say:

*51-33 percent that Malloy can bring needed change to Hartford;

*43-36 percent that Foley can bring change;

*66-19 percent that Malloy has the right experience to be governor;

*53-26 percent that Foley has the right experience;

*58-16 percent that Malloy is honest and trustworthy;

*51-21 percent that Foley is honest and trustworthy;

*51-30 percent that Malloy shares their values;

*42-33 percent that Foley shares their values.

From September 8–12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 875 Connecticut likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and the nation as a public service and for research.