GOP's Corbett Outpolls Democrats in Pennsylvania Governor Contest

Pennsylvania's Republican Attorney General, Tom Corbett, comes out ahead against four potential Democratic opponents in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ed Rendell, but the high level of undecideds and the fact that the Democrats still have the chance to make themselves better known when campaigning intensifies suggests this contest still has a long way to go, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Dec. 10.

At this point, Corbett is the best known of the lot. Fifty-nine percent of voters regard him favorably, 18 percent do not and 23 percent are not sure. A third or more of voters don't know the Democratic candidates well enough to express a favorable or unfavorable opinion.

Corbett leads state Auditor General Jack Wagner by 43 percent to 30 percent with 8 percent preferring someone else and 20 percent undecided.

He leads former Rep. Joe Hoeffel, 48 percent to 26 percent with 9 percent preferring someone else and 17 percent undecided.

He leads Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, 44 percent to 28 percent with 7 percent preferring someone else and 21 percent undecided.

He leads Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty by 46 percent to 23 percent with 9 percent preferring someone else and 22 percent undecided.