Journal polls reveal tightest races in the state

A new Albuquerque Journal poll confirms that Pat Lyons is gaining slightly on Jim Baca in the land commissioner race.

The gain wasn’t unexpected. Fundraising by Republican incumbent Lyons dwarfs that of Baca, the Democratic challenger.

In the newest poll, 42 percent supported Baca and 40 percent supported Lyons, with 18 percent undecided.

In early October, a Journal poll had Baca up four points. In August, another poll had him up five points. The newest poll surveyed 800 registered voters and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

This continues to be the hottest statewide race. Baca has a slight lead, but Lyons has more money to spend in the next two weeks. Look for this one to keep us up late on election night. If you haven’t yet decided how you’ll vote in this race, it’s time to start paying attention.

While we’re on the subject of polls, another Journal poll confirmed this weekend that Democratic challenger Patricia Madrid has pulled ahead of Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., in the 1^st Congressional District race.

The poll had Madrid with 45 percent of the vote and Wilson with 42, with nine percent undecided. The poll surveyed 503 registered voters between Oct. 17 and 19, and has a margin of error of 4.4 percent.

The poll confirms the trend toward Madrid. Earlier this month, a Reuters/Zogby poll had Madrid up 50-40 percent, and a poll done by SurveyUSA and KOB-TV had Madrid up 53-45 percent.