Poll: Branstad has 15-point lead on Culver

By James Q. Lynch 

Five weeks out from the June 8 primary a new poll shows former Gov. Terry Branstad still holds a 15-point lead over first-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver.

However, the Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of 500 “likely voters” April 29 didn't indicate which of three Republicans will win the nomination to face Culver.

Branstad leads Culver 53 percent to 38 percent, according to Rasmussen, which is a two-point increase for Culver since March. It's also his highest level of support against Branstad, a four-term governor, since Rasmussen began polling voters on the race in September 2009.

Culver also trails Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats 45 percent to 41 percent. A month ago, the gap was narrower – 42 percent to 40 percent.

Culver leads the third Republican, Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll 43 percent to 41 percent.

Nine percent favor another candidate, and 7 percent are undecided.

Branstad's favorable are strongest of any candidates. He's viewed very favorably by 29 percent and unfavorably by 21 percent. Culver's favorable are 14 percent and his unfavorable are 35 percent.

Vander Plaats is viewed very favorably by 12 percent and very unfavorably by 20 percent.

At this point in a campaign, Rasmussen Reports considers the number of people with a strong opinion more significant than the total favorable/unfavorable numbers.

There was little change from the previous survey in voters' views of Culver's performance. Rasmussen found 43 percent approve of the job Culver is doing and the 56 percent disapprove. That includes 15 percent who “strongly approve” and 32 percent who “strongly disapprove.”

Rasmussen said the margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence.