For Immediate Release
Contact: Molly Woon
press [at] dpo [dot] org
New Statewide Poll Shows Gov. Brown with "Strong Early Lead" in Reelection Campaign
February 7, 2018
PORTLAND – A new poll released yesterday by Oregon Public Broadcasting shows Governor Kate Brown has a strong, double-digit lead in her campaign for reelection.
The poll finds that Gov. Brown has a positive approval rating from voters, which has has been steady since her 2016 election victory over GOP candidate Dr. Bud Pierce. The research also shows Gov. Brown handily beating current GOP frontrunner Rep. Knute Buehler.
Responding to the survey findings, Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon stated: "The fact that Governor Brown is leading the race by double digits is no surprise to anyone who is familiar with her record. Governor Brown's leadership in protecting funding for health care, improving high school graduation rates, and passing a major transportation package puts her in a very strong position heading into the election year. Coupled with Oregonians' strong desire to see state leadership push back against the chaos in Washington, D.C., she's in a strong position to continue serving Oregonians."
The OPB poll showing Buehler in a vulnerable position comes in the same week as the entrance of a new GOP candidate in the race, former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels, Greg Wooldridge. Woolridge joins six other Republican gubernatorial candidates.
Previous internal Brown campaign polling from October showed that Rep. Buehler's standing among Oregon voters declined following his campaign announcement last summer. That research showed that just 9 percent of Oregonians have a favorable view of Buehler, while 15 percent view him unfavorably.
The Brown campaign polling showed that Buehler is viewed unfavorably by both Democrats and Independents, while Republicans are unenthusiastic about him. Compared to polling from the previous year, Buehler's negatives increased by 7 points, while his positives increased by just 4 points. A polling memo on this research is available upon request.
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