The Anderson Observer

Republican Governor Nikki Haley holds a 10-point lead over Democratic challenger S.C. Sen. Vincent Sheheen in the November elections, according to the latest Winthrop Poll released Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Haley leads Sheheen by a 43.6-33.6 margin among likely South Carolina voters. Petition candidate Tom Ervin, a self-funded attorney and former judge, has a slight effect on the race with 3.9% of voters. Undecided voters could bring the election closer as 12.4% of likely voters said they do not know who they will choose to lead the Palmetto state.

Haley, the state’s first female and Indian-American governor, beat Sheheen, a Camden attorney, in 2010 by 51.4% to 47% of votes.

Her lead comes as more than half of Winthrop Poll respondents (57.5%) say that economic conditions in South Carolina are fairly good. More than a third of respondents (36.1%) said conditions are fairly or very bad.

Those surveyed believe that the most important problems facing South Carolina are: jobs/unemployment (20.1%), education (18.3%) and economy (10.9%). Sixty-two percent of likely voters are optimistic that South Carolina’s economic conditions are getting better.

Winthrop Poll callers surveyed 1,082 likely voters in South Carolina by landline and cell phones between Sept. 21-28. The poll has an approximately +/- 3% margin of error.

U.S. SENATE RACES

With Republicans threatening to capture the control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats, both Republican incumbents are running strong races, said Scott Huffmon, director of the Winthrop Poll.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is the candidate chosen by 46.3% of likely voters, while Democratic and Working Families Party challenger Brad Hutto of Orangeburg drew 28% support. Petition candidate and former S.C. treasurer Tom Ravenel of Charleston has 8% of voter support. Undecided voters are at 12.2%.

In the other Senate race, Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott holds more than a majority lead (52.4%) over Democratic challenger Joyce Dickerson of Columbia (31.8%) and American Party candidate Jill Bossi of Tega Cay (1.8%).