(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Ed Rendell maintains a high level of voter support in the Keystone State, according to two recent polls. In a survey by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. 55 per cent of respondents in Pennsylvania would vote for the incumbent in this year's gubernatorial election, while 31 per cent would back Republican rival Lynn Swann.

A study by Strategic Vision gives Rendell an 11-point lead over 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.

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formed Operation PACleanSweep last year to oppose to a proposed pay raise for the Legislature that was eventually repealed—officially launched his candidacy on Apr. 13. Two per cent of respondents to the Strategic Vision poll would vote for him.

Last month in an interview with the Associated Press, Swann discussed his position on some key issues. The Republican candidate said he supports the death penalty as a "deterrent to crime," as well as restrictions to smoking in the workplace and a constitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage.

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

Polling Data

a) If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Rendell the Democrat, and Lynn Swann the Republican, for whom would you vote?

b) If the election for Governor was held today, and the choice was between Ed Rendell, the Democrat, Lynn Swann, the Republican, and Russ Diamond, the Independent, whom would you vote for?

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