Brian Sandoval has a double digit lead over Rory Reid in the race to be Nevada’s next governor. Sandoval, a former judge surges ahead of Reid 52:38.

Republican candidate Sandoval is far more popular than Reid. 42% of voters have a favorable opinion of Sandoval while 48% of voters have an unfavorable opinion of Reid. Both are fairly popular amongst their respective parties. 65% of Democrats gave Reid high marks and 66% of Republicans have a favorable opinion of Sandoval. 

Sandoval does much better amongst independents 55:28, while Reid does better with moderates 48:38. However, Sandoval’s lead over independents is more significant marginally and categorically, contributing in large part to his lead.  Reid’s base is composed mainly of moderates, while moderates represent 47% of the vote, liberals only represent 13%. Therefore it is far more significant that Sandoval was able to capture the Independent with a larger margin.

“Sandoval is the clear leader in this race,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “Capturing the support of independents has helped Sandoval pave a path to victory.”

PPP surveyed ­­­­­­630 Nevada voters from July 16-18.  The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.9%.  Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Jim
Gibbons’ job performance? If you approve,
press 1. If you disapprove, press 2. If you’re
not sure, press 3.
Approve ……………… 25%
Disapprove………….. 63%
Not Sure……………… 12%

Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Rory Reid? If favorable, press 1. If
unfavorable, press 2. If you’re not sure, press
3.
Favorable……………………………………………….. 34%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 48%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 18%

Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Brian Sandoval? If favorable, press 1. If
unfavorable, press 2. If you’re not sure, press
3.
Favorable……………………………………………….. 42%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 31%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 27%

Q4 The candidates for Governor are Democrat
Rory Reid and Republican Brian Sandoval. If
the election was today, who would you vote
for? If Rory Reid, press 1. If Brian Sandoval,
press 2. If you’re undecided, press 3.
Reid ………………………………………………………. 38%
Sandoval………………………………………………… 52%
Undecided………………………………………………. 11%

Q5 Who did you vote for President last year? If
John McCain, press 1. If Barack Obama,
press 2. If someone else or you don’t
remember, press 3.
McCain…………………………………………………… 45%
Obama…………………………………………………… 49%
Someone Else/Don’t Remember………………… 5%

Q6 If you are a liberal, press 1. If a moderate,
press 2. If a conservative, press 3.
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 13%
Moderate………………………………………………… 47%
Conservative…………………………………………… 40%

Q7 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 54%
Man……………………………………………………….. 46%

Q8 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 41%
Republican……………………………………………… 39%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 20%

Q9 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 14%
White …………………………………………………….. 73%
African American …………………………………….. 8%
Other……………………………………………………… 5%

Q10 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 7%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 18%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 46%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 29%