9-point Foley lead evaporates in NYT/CBS News online poll

Incumbent Democrat Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, left, and Republican candidate for governor Tom Foley greet at the end of a debate, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, in Hartford, Conn.

Incumbent Democrat Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, left, and Republican candidate for governor Tom Foley greet at the end of a debate, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, in Hartford, Conn.

Republicans running for statewide office in Connecticut have become experts at Daylight Savings Time — spring forward, fall back.

Tom Foley is the latest GOP candidate hoping to avoid an October swoon.

But the latest New York Times and CBS News online poll shows the hotly-contested governor’s race trending in the direction of Democratic incumbent Dan Malloy, who trailed Foley by nine points in a July survey by the same public opinion service.

Separated by 6,400 votes in 2010, the rivals are tied at 40 percent in the poll, which was conducted by YouGov for the New York Times and CBS News from Oct. 16 to Oct. 23.

“It looks like they’re calling it a tied ballgame again,” said Chris Cooper, a spokesman for Foley’s campaign.

Pro-gun petition candidate Joe Visconti mustered 3 percent in the latest snapshot of the nationally-watched race, which has seen spending by the candidates and outside groups top $20 million.

The perceived momentum shift follows a pattern of Republicans in deep-blue Connecticut peaking too early, only to have their Democratic opponents pull away comfortably at the end in recent elections.

 

Neil Vigdor