Heller leads Rosen among likely Republican voters by 90 percent to 5 percent, men by 54 percent to 38 percent, white voters by 48 percent to 44 percent and independents by 42 percent to 39 percent. Rosen, meanwhile, has advantages among Democrats by 89 percent to 8 percent, Latino voters at 54 percent to 38 percent and women by 50 percent to 39 percent.
While Nevada voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 by more than 2 percentage points, it has not had a Democratic governor since 1999. The Kavanaugh issue might not measurably change voter turnout for either party’s base.
In the gubernatorial contest, Republican Adam Laxalt has a slim lead, according to the poll. He has support from 46 percent of likely voters, compared with 45 percent for Democrat Steve Sisolak. When the ballot is expanded to include the Libertarian candidate and “none of these,” Laxalt’s advantage grows to 4 points, 44 percent to 40 percent.
Respondents consider economic and health-care issues their top priorities. Twenty-six percent of likely voters say the economy and jobs is the most important factor in deciding their vote, 25 percent say health care, 18 percent say immigration and 9 percent say taxes and spending.
Rosen has hammered Heller over his decision to support a version of Obamacare repeal after pledging to oppose an earlier health-care overhaul.