Poll shows Garamendi leading in Bay congressional contest

A new CBS 5/Survey USA poll shows California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi holding a double-digit lead in the 10th Congressional District special election set Tuesday in Walnut Creek.

Given his overall lead and lead among those who have already voted, Garamendi is the “likely congressional winner,” CBS 5 reported Friday.
  

“Democrat John Garamendi remained the favorite in the special election for California’s 10th Congressional District seat,” according to CBS 5’s Hank Plante. “With five days until votes are counted, the poll conducted for CBS 5 by Survey USA showed Garamendi defeating Republican David Harmer by 10 percentage points.”   

Four-fifths of voters who backed Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election support Garamendi for Congress, Plante said.

“This poll demonstrates that the people of the 10th Congressional District want an experienced leader who shares President Obama’s vision for change in America, but we take absolutely nothing for granted,” Garamendi said in a campaign statement. “Our volunteers will continue the necessary work to get all of our supporters to the polls on Election Day.”

“We’re fighting for every last vote to make sure I get to Washington in time to help President Obama and the Democrats in Congress pass crucial health care reform legislation,” said Garamendi, a Calaveras County native who was California’s first elected state insurance commissioner.

Earlier, he represented Tuolumne and Calaveras counties in the Assembly and State Senate.

In 1982 and 1994 he ran unsuccessfully for governor.

Garamendi leads among a broad spectrum of 10th Congressional District voters, including Obama voters, women, moderates, liberals, all age groups, all races, all income levels, and all levels of educational achievement, the poll showed.

Garamendi’s strong showing in the poll followed a significant endorsement from the Contra Costa Times, the largest circulation newspaper in the district, which said “Garamendi’s experience can better serve area interests and that he deserves voter support on Tuesday.”

He is supported by President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, California’s Professional Firefighters, California Teachers Association and California Nurses Association.

The 10th Congressional District seat has been vacant since Democrat Ellen Tauscher was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 25 as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

The district includes portions of Contra Costa, Solano and Sacramento counties.