A week from tomorrow, two statewide elections will determine the governors of Kentucky and Mississippi. Unfortunately, polls released over the weekend show likely GOP victories.
In Kentucky, an Ipsos-Public Affairs poll shows Rep. Ernie Fletcher (R) with a nine-point lead over state Attorney General Ben Chandler (D), 52 percent to 43 percent. This is a slightly larger lead for Fletcher than similar polls conducted over the summer.
In Mississippi, a Clarion-Ledger/AP poll showed a closer race, with former national GOP chairman Haley Barbour leading incumbent Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D), 50 percent to 45 percent. Unfortunately, no one’s sure how this race is trending, since it’s the only statewide poll published on the race. (I know it’s Mississippi, pollsters, but couldn’t you guys do a few more polls in the state?)
There is another statewide race next month, in Louisiana, but the election isn’t until Nov. 15. Polls there are slightly more encouraging for the Dem, as a poll released late last week showed Democratic Lt. Gov. Kathleen Blanco leading Republican former state Health Secretary Bobby Jindal, 42.7 percent to Jindal’s 40.5 percent. Considering that the poll’s margin of error was +/- 4 percent, the race can go either way.