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Schwarzenegger Remains Ahead in California
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Support for Arnold Schwarzenegger improved slightly in the Golden State, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. 37 per cent of respondents approve of their governor's performance, up two points since February.
Schwarzenegger—a Republican—won California's recall election in October 2003 with 48.7 per cent of the vote. In November 2005, California voters took part in a special election on eight measures. Schwarzenegger actively promoted a "Yes" vote in the initiatives concerning tenure for public teachers, redistricting, and spending, which where defeated.
Schwarzenegger will seek a full term in office in the gubernatorial election scheduled for Nov. 7. The Republican holds a 12-point lead over state treasurer Phil Angelides, and an eight-point advantage over state controller Steve Westly. The Democratic nomination will be decided in a primary ballot on Jun. 6.
Yesterday, a state appeals court ruled that the California Recovery Team committee—controlled by Schwarzenegger to promote specific measures in the November 2005 special election—broke the law by not promptly reporting its independent expenditures.
Polling Data
Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that Arnold Schwarzenegger is handling his job as governor of California?
Mar. 2006 | Feb. 2006 | Jan. 2006 | |
Approve | 37% | 35% | 40% |
Disapprove | 52% | 53% | 52% |
If these were the candidates in the November 2006 governor's election, who would you vote for?
(Likely voters)
Arnold Schwarzenegger 41% - 29% Phil Angelides
Arnold Schwarzenegger 39% - 31% Steve Westly
Source: Public Policy Institute of California
Methodology: Interviews with 2,003 California adults, conducted from Mar. 15 to Mar. 22, 2006. Margin of error is 2 per cent.