Pennsylvania’s GOP governor sinking fast in re-election bid: poll

Democratic challenger Tom Wolf has a commanding 24-point lead over Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett in a new poll released Thursday, beating the incumbent on every issue with likely voters with just eight weeks until the election.

Mr. Wolf, a businessman who was unknown by voters when the race began, tops the Republican governor 59 percent to 35 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.

“A stunningly bad showing for Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett who is clobbered across the board on issues, leadership and other character traits by a candidate who was unknown to most voters earlier this year,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

“What’s Tom Corbett’s biggest problem? Tom Corbett,” he said.

Pennsylvania likely voters give Wolf a 50 − 22 percent favorability rating, with 26 percent who haven’t heard enough about him to form an opinion.

But Corbett gets a negative 33 – 55 percent favorability rating.

Mr. Wolf would do a better job than Mr. Corbett on all the top issues in the race:

• 58-34 percent on the economy/jobs;

• 61-29 percent on education;

• 54-38 percent on government spending;

• 50-41 percent on taxes.

Mr. Wolf also outscores Mr. Corbett on character traits in the poll:

• 54-21 percent that Mr. Wolf is honest and trustworthy, compared to a 43-43 percent split for Mr. Corbett;

• 58-27 percent that Mr. Wolf cares about their needs and problems, while voters say 56-35 percent that Mr. Corbett does not care;

• 61-18 percent that Mr. Wolf has strong leadership qualities, compared to 50-42 percent for Mr. Corbett.

“Handling the important issues, honesty, caring, leadership, the Democrat leads on every measure. The Wolf is at the door, and Gov. Corbett is running out of time,” Mr. Malloy said.