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Iowa: Election 1998 (Governor)

Election Matchup
Democratic Primary
Republican Primary
Candidate Favorability Ratings
Candidate Issue Handling
Interest in Election

Election Matchup

Tom Vilsack (D) vs. Jim Ross Lightfoot (R)

Poll	Date	Vilsack	Lightfoot	Other	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll¹	October 28-30, 1998	43%	47%	8%	2%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	October 25-27, 1998	42%	47%	12%		803 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	October 11-13, 1998	35%	53%	12%		809 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	September 12-14, 1998	32%	54%	15%		804 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	September 7-10, 1998	51%	31%	18%		800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 18-21, 1998	31%	54%	15%		834 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	June 20-24, 1998	32%	53%	15%		581 LV	± 4.0
Mason-Dixon	May 25-27, 1998	21%	55%	24%		837 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	18%	51%	31%		823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	16%	54%	30%		802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	25%	42%	33%		821 RV	± 3.5

1 "In the race for governor, if the election were held today and the candidates were Jim Ross Lightfoot for the Republicans and Tom Vilsack for the Democrats, for whom would you vote?" The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Mark McCormick (D) vs. Jim Ross Lightfoot (R)

Poll	Date	McCormick	Lightfoot	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	May 25-27, 1998	24%	53%	23%	837 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	22%	50%	28%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	21%	51%	28%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	23%	41%	36%	821 RV	± 3.5

Tom Vilsack (D) vs. David Oman (R)

Poll	Date	Vilsack	Oman	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	21%	26%	53%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	20%	22%	58%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	23%	18%	59%	821 RV	± 3.5

Tom Vilsack (D) vs. Paul Pate (R)

Poll	Date	Vilsack	Pate	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	22%	26%	52%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	23%	24%	53%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	24%	20%	56%	821 RV	± 3.5

Tom Vilsack (D) vs. Joy Corning (R)

Poll	Date	Vilsack	Corning	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	19%	27%	54%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	26%	21%	53%	821 RV	± 3.5

Mark McCormick (D) vs. David Oman (R)

Poll	Date	McCormick	Oman	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	24%	25%	51%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	24%	21%	55%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	22%	18%	60%	821 RV	± 3.5

Mark McCormick (D) vs. Paul Pate (R)

Poll	Date	McCormick	Pate	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	24%	26%	50%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	25%	23%	52%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	23%	22%	55%	821 RV	± 3.5

Mark McCormick (D) vs. Joy Corning (R)

Poll	Date	McCormick	Corning	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	24%	28%	48%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	June 26-28, 1997	25%	22%	53%	821 RV	± 3.5

Tom Harkin (D) vs. Charles Grassley (R)

Poll	Date	Harkin	Grassley	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	45%	39%	16%	810 RV	± 3.5

Tom Harkin (D) vs. Terry Branstad (R)

Poll	Date	Harkin	Branstad	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	53%	35%	12%	810 RV	± 3.5

Tom Miller (D) vs. Terry Branstad(R)

Poll	Date	Miller	Branstad	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	42%	36%	22%	810 RV	± 3.5

Tom Miller (D) vs. Charles Grassley (R)

Poll	Date	Miller	Grassley	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	43%	36%	21%	810 RV	± 3.5

Democratic Primary

Democratic Primary Matchup

Poll	Date	Vilsack	McCormick	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	May 25-27, 1998	27%	38%	35%	245 LV	± 6.4
Iowa Poll¹	March 26-30, 1998	19%	35%	46%	400 LV	± 4.9
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	17%	32%	51%	236 LV	± 6.4
Iowa Poll¹	November 28 – December 2, 1997	13%	35%	52%	400 LV	± 4.9
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	14%	33%	53%	802 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	November 29 – December 2, 1997	13%	35%	52%	400 LV	± 4.9
Mason-Dixon	July 26-28, 1997	11%	20%	69%	217 LV	± 7.0

1 "If the Democratic primary for governor were held today, for whom would you vote?" Poll of likely Democrat primary voters. The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Democratic Primary Matchup

Candidate	February 16-18, 1997
Tom Miller	26%
Mike Ftizgerald	11%
Larry Murphy	10%
Tom Vilsack	8%
Fred Hubbell	0%
No opinion	42%
Poll	Mason-Dixon¹
Sample	211 LV
MoE	± 7.0

1 Poll of likely Democrat primary voters.

Republican Primary

Republican Primary Matchup

Poll	Date	Lightfoot	Oman	Pate	Corning	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon¹	May 25-27, 1998	63%	11%	5%	---	21%	316 LV	± 5.6
Iowa Poll²	March 26-30, 1998	70%	9%	5%	---	16%	400 LV	± 4.9
Mason-Dixon¹	March 6-8, 1998	55%	7%	14%	---	24%	305 LV	± 5.6
Mason-Dixon¹	December 7-9, 1997	63%	4%	5%	10%	18%	802 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll²	November 28 – December 2, 1997	60%	6%	6%	9%	19%	400 LV	± 4.9
Iowa Poll²	November 29 – December 2, 1997	60%	6%	6%	9%	19%	400 LV	± 4.9
Mason-Dixon¹	July 26-28, 1997	41%	1%	17%	18%	23%	232 LV	± 6.4

1 Poll of likely Republican primary voters.

2 "If the Republican primary for governor were held today, for whom would you vote?" Poll of likely Republican primary voters. The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Candidate Favorability Ratings

Tom Vilsack Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll¹	October 28-30, 1998	53%	31%	16%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	October 25-27, 1998	40%	21%	39%	803 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	October 11-13, 1998	34%	20%	46%	809 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	September 12-14, 1998	34%	16%	50%	804 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	September 7-10, 1998	36%	19%	45%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 18-21, 1998	21%	10%	69%	834 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	June 20-24, 1998	33%	18%	49%	581 LV	± 4.1
Mason-Dixon	May 25-27, 1998	18%	7%	75%	837 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	March 26-30, 1998	20%	10%	70%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	7%	4%	89%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	13%	3%	84%	802 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	November 29 – December 2, 1997	17%	8%	75%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 26-28, 1997	9%	2%	89%	821 LV	± 3.5

1 "I'm going to mention the names of candidates who have announced they are running for governor of the state of Iowa. For each name I read, please tell me if your feelings toward the person are very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know the person, just say so. ... State Senator (and candidate for Governor) Tom Vilsack." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Jim Ross Lightfoot Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll¹	October 28-30, 1998	56%	38%	6%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	October 25-27, 1998	49%	24%	27%	803 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	October 11-13, 1998	51%	21%	28%	809 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	September 12-14, 1998	53%	22%	25%	804 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	September 7-10, 1998	64%	25%	11%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 18-21, 1998	50%	13%	37%	834 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	June 20-24, 1998	61%	28%	11%	581 LV	± 4.1
Mason-Dixon	May 25-27, 1998	52%	11%	37%	837 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	March 26-30, 1998	62%	31%	7%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	49%	14%	37%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	69%	8%	23%	802 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 26-28, 1997	39%	19%	42%	821 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	November 29 – December 2, 1997	58%	34%	8%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	61%	14%	25%	810 LV	± 3.5

1 "I'm going to mention the names of candidates who have announced they are running for governor of the state of Iowa. For each name I read, please tell me if your feelings toward the person are very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know the person, just say so. ... Former Congressman (and candidate for Governor) Jim Ross Lightfoot." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Mark McCormick Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	May 25-27, 1998	12%	3%	85%	837 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	March 26-30, 1998	28%	12%	60%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	15%	6%	79%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	29%	5%	66%	802 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	November 29 – December 2, 1997	23%	9%	68%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 26-28, 1997	12%	4%	84%	821 LV	± 3.5

1 "I'm going to mention the names of candidates who have announced they are running for governor of the state of Iowa. For each name I read, please tell me if your feelings toward the person are very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know the person, just say so. ... Former Supreme Court Justice Mark McCormick." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

David Oman Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll¹	March 26-30, 1998	26%	18%	56%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	13%	5%	82%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	8%	2%	90%	802 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	November 29 – December 2, 1997	20%	14%	66%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 26-28, 1997	5%	1%	94%	821 LV	± 3.5

1 "I'm going to mention the names of candidates who have announced they are running for governor of the state of Iowa. For each name I read, please tell me if your feelings toward the person are very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know the person, just say so. ... Former state Republican co-Chair and businessman Dave Oman." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Paul Pate Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	March 6-8, 1998	14%	7%	79%	823 RV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	10%	3%	87%	802 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	November 29 – December 2, 1997	33%	15%	52%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 26-28, 1997	14%	5%	81%	821 LV	± 3.5

1 "I'm going to mention the names of candidates who have announced they are running for governor of the state of Iowa. For each name I read, please tell me if your feelings toward the person are very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know the person, just say so. ... Secretary of State Paul Pate." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Joy Corning Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	December 7-9, 1997	19%	7%	74%	802 RV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	November 29 – December 2, 1997	44%	18%	38%	800 LV	± 3.5
Mason-Dixon	July 26-28, 1997	17%	7%	76%	821 LV	± 3.5

1 "I'm going to mention the names of candidates who have announced they are running for governor of the state of Iowa. For each name I read, please tell me if your feelings toward the person are very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know the person, just say so. ... Lieutenant Governor Joy Corning." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Leonard Boswell Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	22%	8%	70%	810 LV	± 3.5

Tom Latham Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	26%	4%	70%	810 LV	± 3.5

Jim Nussle Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	31%	10%	59%	810 LV	± 3.5

Greg Ganske Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	36%	6%	58%	810 LV	± 3.5

Jim Leach Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	53%	3%	44%	810 LV	± 3.5

Steve Rapp Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Mason-Dixon	February 16-18, 1997	8%	5%	87%	810 LV	± 3.5

Candidate Issue Handling

Issue¹	June 20-24, 1998			September 7-10, 1998
	Lightfoot	Vilsack	Other / No opinion	Lightfoot	Vilsack	Other / No opinion
Attracting new jobs	49%	26%	25%	51%	26%	23%
Working to reduce crime	47%	26%	27%	52%	23%	25%
Holding the line on spending	51%	24%	25%	58%	23%	19%
Cutting taxes	48%	22%	30%	56%	23%	21%
Providing a vision, setting clear goals	43%	29%	28%	49%	27%	24%
Improving the quality of education	38%	38%	24%	46%	32%	22%
Effectively managing state government	49%	27%	24%	54%	26%	20%
Ensuring fair taxes, regardless of income	41%	28%	31%	45%	30%	25%
Controlling methamphetamine	38%	20%	42%	43%	20%	38%
Poll	Iowa Poll			Iowa Poll
Sample	581 LV			800 LV
MoE	± 4.1			± 3.5
	October 28-30, 1998
Issue¹	Lightfoot		Vilsack		Other / No opinion
Attracting new jobs	43%		46%		21%
Working to reduce crime	45%		37%		18%
Holding the line on spending	50%		32%		18%
Cutting taxes	48%		31%		21%
Providing a vision, setting clear goals	44%		40%		16%
Improving the quality of education	40%		44%		16%
Effectively managing state government	46%		39%		15%
Ensuring fair taxes, regardless of income	41%		41%		18%
Controlling methamphetamine	41%		31%		28%
Poll	Iowa Poll
Sample	800 LV
MoE	± 3.5

1 "(I'm going to read a list of things some people think are important responsibilities of a governor. For each, I'd like you to tell me who you think would do a better job of handling the responsibility - Jim Lightfoot or Tom Vilsack.) Who would do a better job of ..." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Interest in Election

Interest in Gubernatorial Election

Poll	Date	Very	Fairly	Somewhat	None	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll¹	October 28-30, 1998	52%	31%	16%	1%	0%	800 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	September 7-10, 1998	44%	32%	21%	3%	0%	800 LV	± 3.5

1 "How interested would you say you are in the upcoming campaign for Iowa Governor - very interested, fairly interested, just somewhat interested, or not interested?" The Iowa Poll is sponsored by The Des Moines Register.