Rhode Island's treasurer, Gina Raimondo, has surged ahead of Providence Mayor Angel Taveras in the Democratic primary for governor, according to a poll.
The primary is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Economic issues in the state include an ongoing debate over public pensions and the 38 Studios bond fiasco. In addition, Rhode Island's 7.7% unemployment rate is tied for third-worst in the country, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The WPRI 12/Providence Journal poll, released Aug. 20, had Raimondo with 32%, Taveras at 27% and political rookie Clay Pell, the grandson of former U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell, at 26%. Todd Giroux, who is also running, had 1%.
Roughly 13% of voters are undecided in the poll. Fleming & Associates of Cumberland, R.I., surveyed 503 probable Democratic primary voters from Aug. 11-14.
In late May, the same poll had Taveras leading Raimondo, 33% to 29%, with Pell at just 12%.
Republican candidates are Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and businessman Ken Block. Gov. Lincoln Chafee is not seeking re-election.
In the race for general treasurer, an office Raimondo is vacating, investment fund manager Seth Magaziner holds a double-digit lead over former treasurer Frank Caprio, according to the WPRI/Journal poll released Aug. 19. Magaziner had 43% to Caprio's 31%, though 24% are undecided.
