Corbett the Front-Runner for Pa. Governor, But It's Early

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett is the early front-runner in the race to succeed Gov. Ed Rendell, both in match-ups against a challenger for the Republican nomination and the field of Democratic hopefuls, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Dec. 8-4. But as other polls have indicated, the undecideds are so high and the Democrats so little known at this point, the race still has a long way to go.

Rendell, a Democrat, can't run again because of term limits.

In a GOP primary, Corbett leads Rep. Jim Gerlach, 38 percent to 12 percent with 47 percent undecided.

On the Democratic side, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is ahead with 14 percent, followed by former Rep. Joe Hoeffel at 8 percent, state auditor Jack Wagner at 7 percent, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty at 6 percent and businessman Tom Knox at 5 percent. Fifty-nine percent are undecided.

In general election match-ups, Corbett leads Onorato by 45 percent to 30 percent with 22 percent undecided. He leads Wagner, 43 percent to 33 percent with 23 percent undecided. He leads Hoeffel, 48 percent to 31 percent with 19 percent undecided. Quinnipiac did not test him against Knox.

Quinnipiac's Peter Brown said of the Democratic field: "All of the candidates are so unknown to most Democrats that it is anyone's guess what will happen. One thing is for sure: with five months until the May 18, 2010 primary, none of the candidates is even close to separating themselves from the pack."