Rasmussen: Nevadans view Reid, Gibbons unfavorably

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid and incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons are viewed more unfavorably than favorably by Nevadans, according to new poll results from Rasmussen.

According to the poll of 500 likely voters published Thursday, just 18 percent of respondents viewed Reid "very favorably" compared to 35 percent who viewed him "very unfavorably."

For Gibbons, just 8 percent held a "very favorable" view and 44 percent "very unfavorably". The poll also showed just 35 percent of Nevada voters approve of the job Gibbons is doing as governor while 63 percent disapprove.

The poll also tested Reid and Gibbons in general election matchups.

In a matchup against each other Reid is leading Gibbons 47 to 37 percent.

But if former federal judge Brian Sandoval is the nominee, Reid gets 35 percent of support compared to 53 percent for Sandoval. Against former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon, Reid gets 39 percent compared to 45 percent for Montandon.

Polls of primary voters by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research have shown Sandoval is the leading Republican followed by Gibbons and then Montandon.

With seven months remaining before the November election and the Republican primary winner unknown, Rasmussen says the "very favorably" and "very unfavorably" view results are more significant than overall favorable/unfavorable ratings because they represent people with strongly held opinions.