The Next Governor of Illinois…

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Rod Blagojevich.

February 25, 2006--With his administration freighted by scandal, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich (D), is a well-funded but controversial incumbent. He has yet to reach the 50% level of voter even the weakest Republican in the field. That's a sure sign of potential vulnerability.

The governor has nonetheless gained ground since our last poll, when he did not reach even 40% support in a match-up with the strongest Republican candidate, State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.

Blagojevich now leads Topinka 42% to 36%. He leads businessman Jim Oberweis 49% to 37%, leads businessman Ron Gidwitz 47% to 33%, and leads State Senator Bill Brady 47% to 29%.

It’s hard for me to believe Blago’s going to lose. He gets a lot of negative press for doing some negative things, but outside of state workers I don’t think he’s pissed off enough people to not be reelected. But I could be wrong.