Poll: Bernero opens 8 point lead

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - With six days until the primary, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has opened an eight-point lead over Speaker of the House Andy Dillon in the Democratic race for governor.

Bernero leads 40-32, with 28% undecided in an EPIC-MRA poll of Michigan voters.

The results of this poll show a dramatic turnaround for Bernero, who in June trailed Dillon by 10 points, 34-24. The percentage of undecideds dropped from 42 to 28.

Bernero has leads in each region of the state except west Michigan, where he trails Dillon by five points with 37% undecided.

The Lansing mayor leads among both women and men, among likely primary voters and has voters more committed to voting for him.

Among union members, Bernero leads 51-26 with 22% undecided. In households with children, Bernero leads 35-27, but 39% remain undecided. Those without children support Bernero 42-34 with 24% undecided. Bernero also leads among college educated voters, Protestant/Catholics and whites/other races, though he trails in the support among African-Americans.

Support is split among age groups. Dillon leads in voters 18-29, 41-49 and 65-plus. Bernero holds sway with those between 30-40 and 50-64.

Dillon has the support among households with both the lowest and highest income.

Both candidates increased their name recognition and favorability over the past month.

Another EPIC-MRA poll on the Republican candidates for governor is due to be released Thursday.

Inside woodtv.com:

EPIC-MRA poll on Democratic governor candidates, July 28, 2010