« Carpio trial: Defense rests its case | Today | Update: 2 boys shot in Woonsocket; suspect held »

June 21, 2006

RIC poll: Top races, casino vote -- all close calls

PROVIDENCE -- Call 2006 the year of unpredictable elections: A Rhode Island College public opinion survey released today shows very close state races for governor, U.S. Senate and the referendum that would allow the Narragansett Indians to build a West Warwick casino in partnership with Harrah's Entertainment.

Among the findings of the poll, conducted by veteran RIC political science professor and pollster Victor Profughi:

*The governor's race between Democratic Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty and Republican incumbent Governor Carcieri, the likely GOP nominee, is a statistical dead heat.

*In the Senate race, incumbent Republican Lincoln Chafee and the Democratic favorite, former attorney general Sheldon Whitehouse, are locked in a virtual tie. But if Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey, Chafee's GOP primary challenger wins the nomination, he would be defeated by nearly 2 to 1 by Whitehouse.

Profughi plans to release a GOP Senate primary sample tomorrow that will show the Laffey-Chafee contest close, with a low turnout benefitting Laffey and a larger voter turnout working to Chafee's advantage.

*On the casino issue, voters are evenly divided on the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Harrah's, the casino giant, to operate a West Warwick casino in association with the Narragansetts. But the same poll shows that voters prefer competitive bidding over giving the Narragansett tribe and their partners a non-bid casino license.

* Voters are also overwhelmingly against the legislation favored by House leaders and Carcieri that cuts taxes for Rhode Island's wealthiest residents. Sixty-seven percent are against the cut, 25 percent support it and 8 percent are undecided.

-- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 5:59 PM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)