Quinnipiac: Spitzer Takes Commanding Lead in NY Comptroller Race

The results of a new Quinnipiac University poll show former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer putting even more distance between himself and the rest of the field in the Democratic primary for the city’s comptroller race.

The poll, released Wednesday, sees Spitzer’s lead over Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer at 19 percentage points among likely Democratic primary voters, an increase of 15 percent since July 25.

Fifty six percent said they will vote for Spitzer, compared with 37 percent for Stringer.

Spitzer’s popularity crossed over gender and racial lines.

Male voters favor Spitzer over Stringer by 21 percent, females by 18 percent and African-Americans by 47 percent.

Stringer was more popular with white voters, leading Spitzer by 10 points.

“Spitzer is all over the TV screens, building on his better name recognition and leaving Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in the dust,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Spitzer’s prostitution scandal, which forced him to resign as Governor in 2008, did not seem to be the kiss of death among those polled.

Twenty-three percent said his behavior disqualifies him as a candidate, 44 percent said it is a factor but did not disqualify him and 32 percent said it is not a factor.

The poll of 579 likely Democratic primary voters was conducted Aug. 7-12 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.