CA-GOV POLL: Brown 52 (+3), Whitman 39 (-5). CA-SEN POLL: Boxer 50 (-1), Fiorina 42 (-1).

[jefferson_dem]

:bounce:

Jerry Brown's lead doubles in a month; little change in Senate race

Meg Whitman's handling of housekeeper scandal and record-breaking spending have cost her support among women, Latinos and independents. Barbara Boxer maintains an 8-point lead over Carly Fiorina.

Defections from Meg Whitman's ranks on the part of women, Latinos and nonpartisan voters have fueled a surge by Jerry Brown in the race for governor, according to a new Los Angeles Times/USC poll.

The shift comes after a tumultuous month for the Republican candidate that has led some voters to question her veracity and her handling of accusations by an illegal immigrant housekeeper.

Brown, the Democratic attorney general and former governor, led Whitman 52% to 39% among likely voters, the poll found. His advantage has more than doubled since a Times/USC poll in September.

The abrupt movement in the race for governor came as Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer held onto her 8-point margin over Republican Carly Fiorina in the U.S. Senate contest. Boxer's 50% to 42% lead was statistically unchanged from September's 51% to 43% edge.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-poll-20101024,0,1168989.story