Public Policy Polling’s latest survey finds that Virginia’s Democratic primary race for governor is still tight, with Brian Moran receiving 22%, Terry McAuliffe getting 18%, and Creigh Deeds polling third at 15%.  45% of respondents are still undecided.

Respondents have roughly equal opinions about the favorability of each candidate.  Moran is polling at 34/15 favorability, Deeds has 31/12 favorability, and McAuliffe is polling at a 32/29 split.

“Brian Moran has taken the lead this month after Terry McAuliffe had it last month,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But all the movement is within the margin of error, and this remains a very close three-way race.” 

Among young voters, Deeds has the highest favorability, with 47/22.  Moran is split evenly 36/36, and McAuliffe has a negative favorability, 36/44 among voters ages 18-29.

African Americans are undecided about the governor’s race at a much higher rate than white voters, 61% compared to 37%, respectively.

The race for lieutenant governor is also a tossup up until now, with 67% of potential primary voters undecided.

Jon Bowerbank, Pat Edmonson, and Michael Signer are each polling 4%.  Former Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner is the only candidate in double digits, with 21%. 

PPP surveyed 740 likely Virginia Democratic primary voters from March 27th through 29th.  The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.6%.  Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify. 

Governor’s Race – Poll March 30, 2009