Poll shows Haley jump to lead in GOP primary race (AUDIO)

A new national poll puts Lexington Representative Nikki Haley in the lead of GOP governor’s race contenders.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of “Likely Republican Primary voters” shows Haley earning 30 percent support. She’s followed by State Attorney General Henry McMaster at 19 percent and Congressman Gresham Barrett with 17 percent. Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer captures 12 percent of the vote.

Rasmussen research shows nearly one-in-five potential primary voters (18 percent) remain undecided.

The new findings mark a dramatic turn of events for Haley who ran fourth in March with just 12 percent support. McMaster earned 21 percent of the vote at that time, with Bauer at 17 percent and Barrett at 14percent.

Rasmussen Reports President Scott Rasmussen contends that the Palin visit did much to rally this support for Haley. We spoke with him today when the GOP numbers were released.

AUDIO: Scott Rasmussen discusses latest poll on SC GOP governer’s race (3:30)

Ninety percent (90 percent) of Likely Republican Primary Voters in South Carolina disapprove of how the president is doing his job.

Other findings include: Sixty-two percent (62 percent) approve of scandal-tainted GOP Governor Mark Sanford’s job performance, up three points from March.  The poll was taken May 17, after the newest revelation that Sanford is continuing to see his Argentine mistress. Rasmussen says:

Most people don’t pay attention at the same intense manner and after a while the attitude that,  ”I’ve heard about it , I don’t really want to hear about it anymore. Let’s move on to other topics.” sets in with just about any issue you will find.

Tomorrow, Rasmussen Reports will release its polling on the South Carolina Democrats running for governor.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS