Patrick still favored among Mass. voters, poll finds

As the 2010 Massachusetts gubernatorial race tightens, many voters are still undecided, yet many still favor incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick, according to a new survey from the polling organization Rasmussen Reports.

The Rasmussen telephone survey released last Wednesday indicated that the gubernatorial election will be a close race as first-term Gov. Patrick holds the lead with 33 percent over Republican businessman Charles Baker at 28 percent and Boston University alumnus and State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, who is running as an Independent, at 25 percent.

‘The election is still a long way away,’ Cahill’s campaign spokeswoman Allison Mitchell said. ‘We still have a lot of time to meet with the voters but right now the senatorial race has taken a lot of focus from the gubernatorial elections.’

If businessman Christy Mihos is the Republican nominee over Baker, then Patrick drops to 32 percent, Cahill up to 28 percent and Mihos at 26 percent. However, in either case, 14 percent of the voters remain undecided, according to the survey.

Mihos’ campaign manager Joe Manzoli said he is not worried about Mihos’ third-place standing in the survey.

‘Our campaign is well on track,’ Manzold said. ‘Things are looking very good right now as we are discussing issues and providing solutions.’

One of the main focuses of the Mihos campaign is job creation and the rebuilding of the Massachusetts economy, Manzoli said. Mihos will attempt to achieve that goal by creating a ‘business-friendly atmosphere,’ Manzoli said.

‘It is somewhat of a double-edged sword for businesses as businesses can’t pay employees and people don’t have money to spend since they are unemployed,’ Manzoli said.

Mitchell thinks the economy will be one of the major issues of contention in the election and said Cahill plans to work within the budget and reallocate resources to improve the state’s fiscal crisis.

‘Treasurer Cahill illustrated his strategy when he restructured the school building authority and saved millions of dollars,’ Mitchell said.

Patrick’s campaign argued that the governor has been doing his part to bring the state out of an economic recession.

In October, Patrick announced federal stimulus funds would be used to retain or rehire 127 firefighters across the state and next week he is planning a series of economic development visits, Patrick’s spokesman Steve Crawford said.

‘The reception from the communities we worked in was terrific,’ Crawford said. ‘These upcoming visits are designed to enhance our ability to recover from this recession.’

Mitchell said Cahill has received a warm welcome from the Boston community since he joined the race in the middle of September, and said the campaign has managed to bring together 4,000 volunteers.

‘The poll results were expected at this point since we are still a year away,’ Mitchell said. ‘The closer we get the more engaged the people will be.’

Baker chose state Senate minority leader Richard Tisei, R-Wakefield, as his running mate on Nov. 23.

In Massachusetts, candidates for lieutenant governor must win the nomination for their respective parties, but gubernatorial candidates often name their preferred running mate before the primary for fundraising purposes, according to The Boston Globe.

‘Throughout his career in public service, Richard has built a solid voting record as a fiscal conservative and a reformer of state government,’ Baker said on his website.

The Baker campaign could not provide a comment to The Daily Free Press as it did not respond to multiple calls, messages and emails.

‘Baker’s lieutenant governor’s choice is not a threat,’ Mitchell said. ‘We will be picking someone shortly; there is no one in mind yet.’