Angus Reid Poll

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Governor Janet Napolitano could earn a new term in Arizona, according to a poll by the Behavior Research Center. At least 55 per cent of respondents in the Grand Canyon State would vote for the incumbent in head-to-head contests against two prospective Republican rivals.

Napolitano—a Democrat—has acted as Arizona’s governor since January 2003. The former state attorney general defeated Republican Matt Salmon in the November 2002 election by just over 20,000 ballots.

Napolitano holds a 28-point advantage over GOP activist Don Goldwater, and a 34-point lead over former state Senate president John Greene. Libertarian Barry Hess was included as an option in the survey.

Earlier this month, Napolitano proposed a $100 million U.S. plan to deal with illegal immigration, which includes the creation of new state police squads focused exclusively on border security, as well as increased investment for affected communities.

The next gubernatorial election in the Grand Canyon State is scheduled for November 2006. Since 1951, Arizona has had six Republican and seven Democratic heads of government.

Polling Data

If the election for governor of Arizona were being held today, would you vote for the Democrat Janet Napolitano, the Republican (John Greene or Don Goldwater), or the Libertarian Barry Hess?

Option 1

Janet Napolitano (D)

55%

Don Goldwater (R)

27%

Barry Hess (L)

5%

None of these

13%

Option 2

Janet Napolitano (D)

58%

John Greene (R)

24%

Barry Hess (L)

6%

None of these

12%

Source: Behavior Research Center

Methodology: Telephone interviews with 549 Arizona voters, conducted from Jan. 5 to Jan. 14, 2006. Margin of error is 4.2 per cent.