CT governor's race tightening

The sputtering economy has made virtually every governor's race a nailbiter. The latest race to become competitive is Connecticut's. As is in Ohio, the Democratic challenger is facing a supposedly popular incumbent Republican, has little money, and virtually no name recognition. Yet Dem challenger William Curry has erased a 31-point deficit and is now within 9 points of Gov. Rowland.

In Connecticut, given Mr. Curry's comparative lack of funds and name recognition -- Mr. Rowland's $3.6 million campaign war chest is five times larger, and nearly one-fifth of recently polled voters said they still do not know who Mr. Curry is -- eyebrows are arching at the speed with which the aggressive challenger has closed to within single digits of a powerful two-term incumbent.

Rowland has also agreed to debate Curry four times -- an odd strategy when facing an opponent with low name ID. The debates will only help raise Curry's profile.

Posted September 10, 2002 08:03 AM | Comments (1)