Poll has Arizona Republicans comfortably leading 3 of 4 state races

PHOENIX — A first-time candidate for public office and three political veterans, all Arizona Republicans who have supported President Donald Trump, are leading their respective midterm races, according to a new poll.

The ABC15/OH Predictive Insights poll showed at least three of the candidates were handily winning in a state where the president’s approval rating was 48 percent.

Newcomer Steve Gaynor led the secretary of state race, 50 percent to 36 percent over Democrat Katie Hobbs. Gaynor unseated incumbent Michele Reagan in the primary.

Independents have helped State Sen. Kimberly Yee take a sizable lead in the run for state treasurer. Yee was the choice of 48 percent of the survey respondents, while Mark Manoil had 33 percent.

Incumbent Attorney General Mark Brnovich was the choice of 54 percent to 32 percent for January Contreras.

The only close race of the four was superintendent of public instruction, where Frank Riggs was up, 44 percent to 39 percent over Kathy Hoffman.

“The biggest takeaway regarding the recent statewide poll results reaffirms that the fate of Republicans is tethered to Donald Trump’s approval rating,” OH Predictive Insights chief pollster Mike Noble said in a statement.

The phone poll of 600 likely general election voters was conducted Oct. 1-2. The poll’s margin of error was plus or minus 4 percent.

Over half the participants, 312, were women. The largest age group was 65 and older, making up 41 percent.

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