DENVER – Republicans are gaining on expected Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton in Colorado, according to an early poll released Thursday.
Quinnipiac University found that the former secretary of state is losing ground against leading Republicans in Colorado, as well as in Iowa and Virginia, though the election isn’t for another year and seven months.
The only candidates to officially have announced a run for president are U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
Leading the Republican pack in Colorado is Paul, who gets 44 percent to Clinton’s 41.
“These numbers are a boost for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky as he formally launches his campaign,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Other Republicans effectively tie Clinton in Colorado.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida gets 41 percent to Clinton’s 40 percent.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee ties Clinton at 41 percent.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker gets 42 percent to her 41 percent.
Clinton gets 42 percent to 41 percent against Cruz.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush stands at 38 percent to Clinton’s 41 percent.
And Clinton received 41 percent to 39 percent against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Clinton has faded in almost every matchup in Colorado since a Feb. 18 poll by Quinnipiac.
It was back in early March that reports revealed that Clinton exclusively had used a personal email account to conduct government business as secretary of state. She since has been forced to answer difficult questions about transparency.
“It isn’t just one or two Republicans who are stepping up; it’s virtually the entire GOP field that is running better against her,” Brown said. “That’s why it is difficult to see Secretary Clinton’s slippage as anything other than a further toll on her image from the furor over her email.”
A majority of voters in Colorado say Clinton is not honest and trustworthy, 56 percent to 38 percent. The email controversy is “very important” or “somewhat important” as an issue to Coloradans, 51 percent of voters say, while 49 percent say “not so important” or “not important at all.”
Republicans, however, also received lackluster ratings. Paul had the most favorability for Republicans.
“Hillary Clinton still has a mountain or two to climb to win the hearts of Coloradans who don’t trust her,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll. “The email controversy is opening doors to candidates who had little traction as Hillary Clinton gets bad numbers on trust and honesty.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
Quinnipiac University Swing St (PDF)
