Poll shows Kari Lake as only Republican beating Katie Hobbs for Arizona governor

PHOENIX – Former TV news anchor Kari Lake was the only Republican to top Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in a new poll of potential head-to-head gubernatorial matchups.

Lake bested the Democratic front-runner by a 42.7%-41.4% margin, with 15.4% undecided, according to survey results released Tuesday by Phoenix research firm Data Orbital.

Hobbs, however, came out in front when matched up against any of Lake’s Republican competitors, former U.S. congressman Matt Salmon, businessman Steve Gaynor or former Arizona Regent Karrin Taylor Robson.

“While there has been chatter among insiders surrounding general election viability for Kari Lake, it is clear voters do not share those same concerns,” George Khalaf, president of Data Orbital, said in a press release.

“With her commanding position in recent primary surveys and her strong performance against Democrat Katie Hobbs, Kari Lake is the Republican frontrunner in the Arizona gubernatorial race.”

Hobbs’ advantage was 40.7%-39.3% against Salmon, 40.1%-39.1% against Gaynor and 41.6%-37.1% against Taylor Robson, with the undecided segment near 20% in all three matchups.

The poll of likely general election voters was conducted Feb. 11-13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1%.

Previous polling has shown Hobbs with a commanding lead on the Democratic side.

Lake jumped ahead in the GOP race, but Salmon has been gaining ground.

Arizona’s primaries are set for Aug. 2, with the general election on Nov. 8.

Follow @kstonezone