Patrick Barely Squeaking By in Three-Way Massachusetts Governor's Race

Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, struggling with the fact that 56 percent of voters see him unfavorably, holds narrow leads over an independent challenger and two Republicans vying for places on the ballot, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted March 8.

If health care executive Charlie Baker is the GOP candidate, as expected, Patrick leads him by 35 percent to 32 percent with Democrat-turned-independent Tim Cahill, the state treasurer, at 19 percent. Fourteen percent are undecided. The margin of error is 4.5 points. In November, Patrick led Baker by 5 points.

Baker is drawing the support of 57 percent of fellow Republicans but Patrick isn't doing much better at 61 percent among Democrats. Cahill draws 29 percent of Republicans and 20 percent of Democrats. He leads among unaffiliated voters with 42 percent, followed by Baker at 22 percent and Patrick at 15 percent, with 20 percent undecided.

Cahill has brought in John Weaver, a longtime John McCain consultant, to help run his campaign. The Boston Herald says the campaign will position Cahill as a blue-collar fiscal conservative.

If businessman Christy Mihos is the Republican, Patrick leads Cahill by 34 percent to 30 percent with Mihos getting 19 percent. Sixteen percent are undecided. The 4 point different between the top two is the same as in November.

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