Poll: Napolitano more popular than McCain

If John McCain isn't elected president next year, he may have a hard time gaining another term in the U.S. Senate.

A new statewide survey shows that if the Senate election were held today, the Republican incumbent would be defeated by Gov. Janet Napolitano – that is, if Napolitano would choose to run for the seat. The Democrat governor cannot seek a third term.

Not surprisingly, the poll by the Behavior Research Center shows Napolitano the favorite of 78 percent of Democrats, versus 11 percent for McCain. But the governor also would pick up 20 percent of Republicans and 47 percent of independents who make up nearly 28 percent of Arizona’s registered voters.

If they went head to head, Napolitano would get 47 percent of the vote, compared to 36 percent for McCain, according to the poll.

The poll took place between July 27 and Aug. 4 and included responses from 629 voters. The margin of error was 3.9 percent.

Voters were also asked how Napolitano is doing as governor. Only 9 percent rated her performance in office as poor or very poor, the lowest since she was first elected in 2002. Another 59 percent rate her work as excellent or good.