Republican Mark Sanford

The South Carolina governor’s race is becoming even more competitive with Republican Governor Mark Sanford leading his Democratic challenger, State Senator Tommy Moore, 47% to 38% (see crosstabs).  Sanford’s lead in last month’s survey was 51% to 39% .

Not only has Moore closed his deficit to single digits, it’s also of note that Governor Sanford’s support among voters has fallen below the 50% mark.

The most recent Rasmussen Reports election survey of 500 likely voters shows that 24% of voters Strongly Approve of Governor Sanford’s job performance while 17% Strongly Disapprove. His personal favorability ratings are a bit better than his job approval numbers, but sliding. 

In a state plagued by unemployment troubles, 41% of the voters surveyed say that the economy is the issue that most concerns them.  National security (16%); the war in Iraq (15%); and immigration (13%) round out the top slots.

Among those who say the economy is their main concern, 46% say Moore is their candidate of choice; 37% choose Governor Sanford.  Moore has not yet established a strong impression on voters—just 16% have a “very” favorable opinion of him while 7% have a “very” unfavorable view. Most voters (55%) have only a soft opinion of the challenger and 23% have no opinion at all.

President Bush wouldn’t mind that low level of recognition in the state. Less than two years ago, he won 58% of the vote in South Carolina. Today, just 46% of South Carolinians approve of his job performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) do not.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.

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Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.