A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Virginia Democrats have a good shot at maintaining the governor’s mansion this fall, with both former Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam enjoying double-digit leads in hypothetical matchups against the GOP contenders.
Mr. Northam and Mr. Perriello have double-digit leads over three GOP contenders: Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, and State Sen. Frank Wagner.
Mr. Gillespie does have a clear lead in the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination at 28 percent, to Mr. Stewart’s 12 percent and Mr. Wagner’s 7 percent. Still, more than half of GOP respondents saying they were undecided in that primary contest.
Democrats have a more divided race for their party’s nomination, with Mr. Perriello and Mr. Northam landing at 25 and 20 percent, respectively, but more than 50 percent of Democratic voters also undecided.
In the 2018 U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine has clear edge over two possible Republican candidates in early hypothetical matchups. Mr. Kaine led both conservative radio host Laura Ingraham and former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina by more than 20 points.
Neither Mrs. Fiorina nor Ms. Ingraham have officially announced whether they are running for the seat.
