Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Brewer vs. Goddard in 2010?

The latest O'Neill Poll shows that Governor Jan Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard have the top spots to challenge for the Governor's seat in 2010. According to the survey:


Arizona small businesses were asked about their support for various possible candidates for Governor of Arizona. Each group was only asked the possible primary candidates for their own party.

Among the 69% of Arizona small businesses who are Republicans, Governor-apparent Jan Brewer would appear to be the default choice. Fifty-eight percent (58%) indicated support for nominating her for an elected term as governor. This proportion dwarfed that given to any other potential candidate: Andrew Thomas (13%), Tom Horne (11%), Hugh Hallman (9%), Mary Peters (8%), Dean Martin (1%). This suggests to us at this point that the nomination is Jan Brewers' to lose.

Among Democrats, more than three-fourths (77%) of Arizona small businesses expressed a preferences for Terry Goddard over Mayor Phil Gordon (23%). While 2010 is a long way off, this strikes us as a formidable starting point for Goddard.


What is not clear at this point is if either candidate can make it to 2010 unscathed. Goddard has made several high profile hirings in the midst of the current round of layoffs in the AG's office. Brewer is having to make dramatic cuts to the state budget and is being blamed for the education cuts that had to be made when Napolitano left her holding the bag.

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