Bill Brady, the Republican nominee for governor, holds a seven point lead over incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn, according to the latest poll by Rasmussen Reports. Brady’s lead slipped three points since he locked up the Republican nomination.
As long as Quinn touts the need for an income tax hike and impotently handles other fiscal crises in Illinois, Brady is likely to maintain his lead. Quinn’s handling of the economy is the primary factor in lagging Brady, the poll said.
Both Brady and Quinn won hard-fought primary campaigns, yet the Republican Party quickly rallied around Brady while the Democrats have shown a more tepid response to Quinn. Independent voters show a preference for Brady.
The Rasmssen poll is not the only poll showing a Brady lead. Earlier this month the Democrat-leaning Public Policy Polling showed Brady leading Quinn by 10 points. Three other polls showed Brady leading be nine to 13 points.
“Voters of Illinois are tired of political games and the old way of doing things. They do not want Pat Quinn’s 33 percent tax hike, and they do not want more budgets padded with waste and political paybacks,” the Brady campaign said earlier this month.