Four of five state officeholders show strong leads

CARSON CITY -- Four of five incumbent elected statewide officeholders have solid leads over their challengers, according to a new poll commissioned by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and 8NewsNow.

Democratic incumbent Catherine Cortez Masto has opened a 17 percentage point lead over Republican challenger Travis Barrick in the attorney general's race, while Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki has maintained a 12 percentage point lead over Democrat Jessica Sferrazza.

In the secretary of state's race, incumbent Democrat Ross Miller has a 14 percentage point lead over Republican Rob Lauer.

And in the treasurer's race, Democratic incumbent Kate Marshall holds a 7 percentage point lead over Republican Steve Martin, which is a turnaround from being 4 points behind in a similar poll in July.

Only the controller's race is close, with Democratic incumbent Kim Wallin leading Republican Brian Herr by 3 percentage points. That's a 1 point improvement for Wallin since the July poll, but still within the margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of Washington, D.C. A total of 625 registered voters were interviewed by telephone Monday through Wednesday.

For the most part, poll results vary little from the July poll, when Barrick trailed Masto by just 7 percentage points.

"It could be worse," said Barrick, who has practiced in Nevada for five years and never previously sought public office here. "I could be down by 17 points, and spending a lot of money, which I am not."

Barrick said last week that he has raised just $7,000, although he reported only $1,400 in contributions in the last reporting period in late May.

In contrast, Masto reported $166,672 in contributions.

"I don't think he is going to get very far with $7,000," said Brad Coker, the managing partner of Mason-Dixon.

Coker said it appeared that the Republican Party "kind of gave her a free pass" by not fielding a better-known candidate to face Masto.

Erin Bilbray, a spokeswoman for Masto, called the latest poll results "great news."

"Catherine isn't taking anything for granted," Bilbray said. "Next week she will be off for her rural tour, which she does twice a year."

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.