KY Governor: Northup Poll Shows Dead Heat in Primary

A new poll for former Cong. Anne Northup has her running even with incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher in the Republican primary. The January 28-29 Public Opinion Strategies survey showed Northup and Fletcher at 39% each, wealthy businessman Billy Harper at 10%, and 12% undecided. The candidates are shooting for 40% in the May 22 race in order to avoid a June 26 runoff.

Northup's supporters are also encouraged by the polling results despite having 33% less name identification than the governor. Also of note, of the 500 likely Republican primary voters surveyed, 40% said Fletcher deserves reelection, while 54% said it is time for a new Republican candidate. While a clear majority of primary voters don't support Fletcher, the survey shows that the governor is benefiting from multiple candidates dividing his detractors.

The filing deadline just passed on Tuesday, so the race is just getting started.