(05/30/06) -

Rendell at 52%, Swann Falls in Pennsylvania

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Ed Rendell has become the frontrunner in the Keystone State’s gubernatorial election, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 52 per cent of respondents in Pennsylvania would vote for the incumbent in this year’s ballot, while 34 per cent would support Republican Lynn Swann.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Ed Rendell has become the frontrunner in the Keystone State’s gubernatorial election, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 52 per cent of respondents in Pennsylvania would vote for the incumbent in this year’s ballot, while 34 per cent would support Republican Lynn Swann.

Rendell—a Democrat—has acted as Pennsylvania’s governor since January 2003. The former Philadelphia mayor defeated Mike Fisher in the November 2002 election with 53 per cent of the vote, ending eight consecutive years of Republican administrations.

Swann, a former football player, seeks to become the second African American governor in U.S. history. Support for Rendell increased by 11 points since April, while backing for Swann fell by 10 points.

Independent candidate Russ Diamond—who formed Operation PACleanSweep last year to oppose to a proposed pay raise for the Legislature that was eventually repealed—officially launched his candidacy on Apr. 13. Diamond requires 67,000 signatures of support to get his name on the ballot.

Last week, Swann alleged that the current governor is hindering his fundraising efforts, declaring, “(Rendell’s) party machinery is out there putting the squeeze on people, saying ‘Don’t contribute to Swann’s campaign.’”

Rendell spokesman Dan Fee dismissed the Republican candidate’s assertion, saying, “If Lynn Swann has any evidence, he should report it to the authorities right now. If not, he ought to shut up.”

The election is scheduled for Nov. 7. No incumbent has been defeated in a Pennsylvania gubernatorial election.

Polling Data

Election 2006 – Pennsylvania Governor