Almone Would Crush Vivarte, Poll Shows

If election were held today, popular incumbent would have easy road to re-election, according to poll

LILLAC CITY, POG--Popular Conservative Governor Donna Almone would easily defeat Nationalist gubernatorial candidate June Vivarte, according to a new poll released by Southern Concepts, a POG-based polling firm.

The poll, which was conducted between August 7-9, shows Almone taking 48% to Vivarte's 23%, with the remaining 29% undecided. The poll also found Almone's favorability ratings high, with 58% of POG voters approving of her job as governor. Only 32% disapproved of her handling of the governor's job.

A different poll, paid for by the state NAT party, found Almone leading Vivarte by only 6 points, 39% to 36%, respectively. That same poll found the governor's approval rating at 52% and disapproval rating at 38%.

According to both polls, voters' main complaint about Almone is her frequent absence from the state capitol. The governor says she is absent from the capitol often because she is Chairwoman of the Governor's Board, a job that requires her to travel out of state frequently. Nationalists say the governor's frequent absences prove her priorities are mixed up, and she is out of touch with the state's affairs.

The governor's position as Chairwoman of the Governor's Board is likely to be a major issue in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, as Nationalists contend Almone is putting her role as Chairwoman before her job as governor of POG.

NAT candidate June Vivarte has already released a web video attacking Almone's spotty availability at the governor's office. Her campaign is also planning a rally at the state capitol, to be held sometime next week.