Republican Bob Beauprez pulled ahead of Gov. John Hickenlooper in a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday in Colorado’s hard-fought gubernatorial contest.
Mr. Beauprez led by 45 percent to 40 percent in the latest survey of likely Colorado voters, a swing of six percentage points since last week’s Quinnipiac poll, which showed Mr. Hickenlooper ahead by one percentage point — 45 to 44 percent.
“Five points down, six days to go. The numbers are tight and the ticking clock is the enemy. Is the wolf at the door for Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper?” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll, in a statement.
One problem for Mr. Hickenlooper is that even though he leads among women, he trails badly with male voters. Men support Mr. Beauprez by 54 to 33 percent, while women break for Mr. Hickenlooper by 47 to 37 percent.
“The gender battle leans Republican Bob Beauprez’s way as a surge of support from men eclipses Gov. Hickenlooper’s once-commanding lead with women,” Mr. Malloy said.
Mr. Hickenlooper also saw his favorability rating dip from 51 percent favorable and 42 percent unfavorable last week to an even split at 46 to 46 percent. Meanwhile, Mr. Beauprez’s rating increased from 47 favorable and 34 percent unfavorable to 51 favorable versus 42 percent unfavorable.
Anti-Hickenlooper campaign ads in the last week have focused on his decision to grant an indefinite reprieve to Chuck E. Cheese murderer Nathan Dunlap, who was scheduled to be executed in August 2013. A 13-minute video from an anguished Dennis O’Connor, whose 17-year-old daughter Colleen was killed by Dunlap, has also been making the rounds.
Mr. Beauprez’s biggest challenge may be offsetting the governor’s cash advantage. The Republican, who trails by roughly 3 to 1 in fundraising, loaned himself another $317,000 this week, bringing his total personal hit to $844,000, according to Colorado Public Radio.
The latest campaign finance reports show Mr. Hickenlooper has raised $5.4 million to Mr. Beauprez’s $1.7 million, not included loans.
The race is viewed as a toss-up, with most polls showing the candidates locked in a statistical tie. The Wednesday Quinnipiac Poll has a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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