From Deseret News archives:
Huntsman, Shurtleff riding high in polls
Huntsman, who has proven a popular governor, has a commanding lead over his Democratic opponent, Bob Springmeyer.
Likewise, Shurtleff is way ahead of his Democratic challenger, Jean Welch Hill, pollster Dan Jones & Associates found in a survey of registered voters conducted for the Deseret News and KSL-TV.
Huntsman, who seeks a second four-year term, is ahead of Springmeyer, 78-11 percent; with 2 percent mentioning some other candidate, 8 percent not knowing who they'd vote for and 1 percent refusing to answer the question, Jones found. Shurtleff, who seeks a third term, leads Hill, 68-17 percent; 2 percent mentioning another candidate, 13 percent not knowing who they'd vote for and 1 percent refusing to answer.
The survey, taken June 16-19 of 405 registered voters statewide, has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percent. Jones, contracted with by the newspaper and TV station, is an independent pollster who has done work for Huntsman this year.
In addition to the head-to-head matchups, Jones also asked voters if they approve or disapprove of the incumbents' job performance.
Huntsman has an 84 percent job-approval rating. That's a near-record accomplishment. Former Gov. Mike Leavitt, who is now President Bush's secretary of Health and Human Services, in a few polls had a gubernatorial job approval above 80 percent.
Only 12 percent of Utahns disapprove of the job Huntsman is doing.
Shurtleff gets a 72 percent job approval rating; only 16 percent of Utahns don't like the job the attorney general is doing.
Shurtleff could use an easy re-election this year he has just undergone yet another leg operation, this time for an infection on a leg that was badly broken last year in a motorcycle accident.
Springmeyer told the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention that even though he is a long shot, he still has a real chance of beating Huntsman. Like Utah's lone Democratic congressman, Rep. Jim Matheson, Springmeyer would need to get all the Democratic vote and most of the independent vote.
But partly-line numbers show he could be elected, Springmeyer said.
However, Jones' new poll shows that Huntsman gets 71 percent of the independent vote and even 53 percent of the Democratic vote. The GOP governor gets 88 percent of the Republican vote.
Recent comments
Lets not totally rip on good ole Mark to quick, when he was first...
Change | July 1, 2008 at 9:44 a.m.
As Utah Chair of the Libertarian Party, I thank those who have given...
Andrew | June 30, 2008 at 7:54 p.m.
Dan Jones is about as right on this one as he was on Cannon/Chaffetz....
Park City Resident | June 30, 2008 at 7:37 p.m.
- Utes need to improve shot selection 9:35 p.m.
- D-line huge part of Miner's success 9:33 p.m.
- Donny Osmond, Kym Johnson last 9:31 p.m.
- Ravens open 16-0 lead 9:20 p.m.
- Mavs' Nowitzki hits fallaway winner 9:12 p.m.
- Kings rally past Panthers in SO 9:03 p.m.
- Guerin sparks Penguins past Ducks 8:44 p.m.
- Voracek lifts Blue Jackets past Oilers 8:42 p.m.
- Hawks beat Blazers in OT 8:40 p.m.
- Jazz rookies a bit more seasoned 8:35 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Barzee to plead guilty
- Sloan misses practice
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Vitamin D deficiency puts U.S. at risk
- Jazz notes: Young bigs ride bench
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
226 - Will state consider gay rights law?
162 - RSL heads to MLS title game
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
132 - MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
117 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
115 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
108 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
89
The Gateway, 400 W. 200 South, will kick off the holiday shopping season...
I was a bit under the weather last week, which gave me some time to...
ill never visit this restaurant for the way they acted by firing this...
Noooo! the away goals tiebreaker is the only thing I about game that's not in...
Their actions, had this case not been treated as it has, could have made the...
"Marriage is a civil contract--no religion needed." If it is just a...
This man broke the law and should go to jail for what he did, it's as simple...
he isn't one of the best! he is the best!!!!!!
Couldn't have said it better myself. There is no I or me in team. The...
Scott, I respect your opinion on a lot of things but on this one I think you...
+1 to the statements above from Common Sense and Jason. Mr. DeChristopher...
As someone who grew up just a short drive away from Denmark I can tell you...

