Poll: Connecticut Gov. Malloy in statistical tie with Republican

HAMDEN, Conn., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy got some good news Wednesday, a poll that puts him in a tie with his Republican challenger, Tom Foley.

The Quinnipiac University Poll reported that 43 percent of likely voters would go for Malloy if the election was held now and 43 percent for Foley. If independent Joe Visconti, the choice of 9 percent, was out of the race, Malloy and Foley would still be deadlocked at 46 percent each.

A poll released Sept. 10 had Foley ahead by 6 percentage points, with 46 percent of the vote to 40 for Malloy. Malloy defeated Foley, a businessman and former ambassador to Ireland, in a close race in 2010.

Connecticut voters still have reservations about Malloy with 51 percent viewing him favorably and 39 percent the reverse. They have become more negative about Foley in the past month.

Foley has slipped among male voters with his lead dropping from 19 points to 11. Malloy's support from women has increased by 4 points.

Douglas Schwartz, the poll's director, said the race looks like it will go "down to the wire."

"As the campaign has gotten nasty, voters are not wild about either candidate. Malloy's favorability rating is still underwater. Foley gets a mixed favorability rating. He is a little better known since early September, but a little less liked," Schwarz said. "Voters like Foley less since our last poll. Foley's negatives have risen perhaps due to Malloy's attacks."

Malloy is one of a number of governors in tight races this year, including Republicans Rick Scott of Florida and Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Democrat Pat Quinn in Illinois. Three incumbents appear to be in serious trouble, Republicans Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania and Sam Brownback of Kansas and Democrat John Hickenlooper of Colorado.

Quinnipiac polled 1,085 likely voters between Oct. 1 and Oct. 6. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.