NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Democratic candidate for Virginia governor Ralph Northam now has a seven-point lead over Republican candidate Ed Gillespie, according to a new poll released Friday from Christopher Newport University.
Ed Gillespie (L) and Ralph Northam (R)
The numbers take Northam to the 50% mark while Gillespie trails at 43%. Libertarian Cliff Hyra polled at 3%, with 4% undecided.
This is the third tracking poll from CNU’s Wason Center for Public Policy on the 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election. In the first tracking poll, released October 9, Northam’s lead was 7% (49% to 42%), before narrowing to 4% (48% to 44%) in the second tracking poll, released October 17.
The new numbers widen that gap.
The new poll shows Northam leading among men and woman, young and old, and among African-American voters. Gillespie leads among white voters.
Northam’s supporters are in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and Richmond-Central Virginia while Gillespie’s supporters are Southwest-Southside Virginia.
As for the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general, the numbers are very close.
For lieutenant governor, Democrat Justin Fairfax leads Republican Jill Vogel, 47%-44%.
For attorney general, Democrat Mark Herring leads Republican John Adams, 49%-44%.
