Congressional candidate Ricky Gill (R-Lodi) has a 46-45 lead over the incumbent Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) in California’s 9th district, according to a poll of likely voters conducted by the Tarrance Group on Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Nine percent remain undecided. McNerney previously represented California’s 11th district until the area was redistricted.
The poll also revealed that Gill (pictured) leads McNerney by 20 points among Independents and decline-to-state voters.
This is Gill’s first time showing a lead over McNerney in a major poll, just one month before the election. A previous Tarrance Group poll from late July had McNerney with a two-point lead over Gill among likely voters.
Gill is at a significant disadvantage as he is challenging a six-year incumbent and is a less recognizable name. However, the most recent Tarrance Group poll also found that among voters who recognize both candidate names, Gill still garners over 50% of the vote and has a double-digit lead over McNerney.
McNerney was involved in a controversy involving voter fraud in early August. Local Republican officials filed a complaint claiming he violated state elections law by voting in Stockton while living in his hometown of Pleasanton. Stockton-based newspaper The Record carried out an investigation and found evidence in the form of property and tax records, vehicle registration, and accounts of neighbors and reporters that McNerney was living in Pleasanton at the time. McNerney denied the allegations, saying he was in transition between homes at the time but did not break the law.