By Sam Wroblewski WPRO.com
The two candidates for governor are running a neck-and-neck race, according to poll data released by the Fung campaign.
According to the internal poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, Both Allan Fung and Gina Raimondo are tied with 42% of the vote. The poll also claims both candidates have a near 100-percent name recognition, but Raimondo suffers from lower favorability rating among her base.
The release describes Raimondo as “damaged goods” post-primary with 37 percent of Democrats having a negative opinion of her.
In the hours after the primary concluded, one ranking union official expressed his disapproval of her nomination by equating support of the the Treasurer to political suicide.
For nearly a week, the Treasurer has been receiving national media attention for her win in the primary; with one writer going so far as to say her victory in November is near-certain.
But in light of the new polling data, will Raimondo’s favorability in the national press help push her ahead of her opponent?
WPRI pollster Joe Fleming of Fleming & Associates says that while all of the national coverage won’t directly translate into votes, it will help in funding her campaign.
“What it does is translate into raising money and the money will help win the vote,” said Fleming.
Fleming said the national attention will help attract donors from out-of-state who support Raimondo’s message.
“There will be lots of outside money in this race,” said Fleming, “Many of her donors have already maxed-out, so she will need new sources for her money.”
What is missing from the poll is the affect Bob Healey will have on the race. The poll was conducted just days before Healey announced his candidacy with the Moderate party.
WPRO’s Dan Yorke stated on his show he believes Healey will cost Fung the election.
“Bob Healey will be invited to every major debate, Bob Healey will have a significant internet presence, Bob Healey will get a lot of free media because Bob Healey has put in the time,” said Yorke during his daily talk show.
The poll surveyed 500 likely two days after the primary election.
