Although both Republicans and Democrats in Maine appear to be largely in lockstep with the other members of their party, Independents remain divided over who they intend to support at the polls this November.
As found by the latest Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, however, Democratic candidates do enjoy a slight lead among unaffiliated Mainers in both the senatorial and gubernatorial races.
Despite large majorities indicating that they plan to vote for their party’s chosen candidate later this year, none of the candidates for governor enjoy a particularly high favorability rating among voters.
With just a 35 percent favorability rating, 89 percent of Democrats said that they would vote for Hannah Pingree in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Similarly, 88 percent of Republicans said that they intend to support Robert Charles, even though he had just a 26 percent favorability rating.
Among Independents, 30 percent are leaning towards Pingree, 24 percent towards Charles, and 22 percent towards Rick Bennett. 24 percent remain undecided.
Overall, Pingree holds a nearly 15-point lead over Charles, as 8 percent of Mainers have yet to make up their minds.
When it comes to the race for Maine’s seat in the United States Senate, a similar pattern emerges with both incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson having low favorability ratings overall but high in-party support.
Collins was viewed unfavorably by a larger share of the opposing party than Jackson, but was also supported by a greater share of those within her own party.
Independents are split nearly evenly between supporting Jackson and Collins, with 10 percent remaining who are undecided about their selection.
Although Jackson shows a slight lead overall, he remains neck and neck with Collins ahead of the general election.
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