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Neal in Close
Race with Guinn Statewide
Las Vegas Review Journal
Statewide Poll
Excerpt from Nevada's largest newspaper's 2-24-98 edition:
"Retired Republican businessman Kenny Guinn is the early
front-runner in the governor's race, but the large number of
undecided voters should encourage his rivals, a pollster said
Monday.
"A statewide poll conducted for the Review-Journal and
KTNV-TV, Channel 13, shows that voters recognize and like Guinn
more than any other gubernatorial candidate. Yet it also shows
that 23 percent don't know who he is, even though he has been
campaigning for two years.
"Guinn, who has no elective experience, is just 11 points
ahead of his likely Democratic opponent -- Sen. Joe Neal of North
Las Vegas, a legislator since 1973.
"While 35 percent supported the political newcomer, 24
percent supported the veteran lawmaker. Forty-one percent were
undecided.
"'Given the fact he's been out there for over a year
and I'm starting with basically nothing, that demonstrates a
weakness,' Neal said. 'That bodes well for what we have been
able to do.'
"In a match-up between Neal and former Hollywood producer
Aaron Russo, Neal pulls 26 percent of the votes and Republican
Russo is close behind with 22 percent -- well within the margin
of error -- while 52 percent were undecided.
"In a governor's race between Neal and Lt. Gov. Lonnie
Hammargren, Neal captures 25 percent and Republican Hammargren
28 percent -- with 47 percent undecided. Hammargren hasn't decided
whether to run for governor or Congress."
[It should be noted that millionaire candidates Russo and
Guinn have already spent hundreds of thousands in campaign advertising
and have been campaigning for one and two years, respectively.
Neal, a 26-year state senator from North Las Vegas, announced
his candidacy on January 5.]
The Review-Journal, Nevada's largest newspaper, added that
"although some national experts are predicting Nevadans
will elect a Republican as their next governor, pollster Del
Ali said, 'these numbers don't suggest that at all.'"
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