This is no surprise with regard to Brad Henry, but Askins' solid lead is pleasantly surprising. I have said recently that if you have a competent female she will usually out-poll the male- in down ballot races, other things being equal.
This has been especially true in judicial elections.
Look at the 28 point gender gab between Askins and Heit.
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=b625eb2c-d007-4c0f-8f9d-0a7e4b8d6c34Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10101
Geography Surveyed: Oklahoma
Data Collected: 08/25/2006 - 08/27/2006
Release Date: 08/28/2006 11:50 AM ET
Sponsor: KFOR-TV Oklahoma City
Henry Running Strong in OK Statehouse Re-Elect Bid: In an election for Governor in Oklahoma today, 8/28/06, incumbent Democrat Brad Henry defeats Republican challenger Ernest Istook 60% to 34%, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KFOR-TV Oklahoma City. 34% of Republican voters cross over to vote for the Democrat Henry. Henry leads by 41 points among women and by 12 points among men, a 29-point "gender gap." Henry leads 8:1 among Democrats and 2:1 among Independents. Henry leads by 18:1 among liberals. Istook leads by only 2:1 among conservatives. The lower the voter turnout, the closer the contest. The election is on 11/7/06. Henry was first elected in 2002, defeating Republican Steve Largent. SurveyUSA was the only pollster to forecast Henry's win in 2002. Henry's 69% Job Approval Rating in SurveyUSA's most recent monthly tracking poll, makes Henry the 7th most popular governor in the country. Istook is leaving the U.S. Congress after 7 terms representing Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District.
Askins In Tight Fight with Hiett for OK Lt. Governor Race: In an election for Lieutenant Governor in Oklahoma today, 8/28/06, Democrat Jari Askins edges Republican Tom Hiett, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KFOR-TV Oklahoma City. 10 weeks to the 11/7/06 election, Askins gets 48%. Hiett gets 42%. Askins leads by 20 points among women and trails by 8 points among men, a 28-point "gender gap." Askins gets 80% of Democrat votes. Hiett gets 70% of Republican votes. Independents are split. Askins gets 2 out of 3 votes from both liberals and moderates. Hiett gets 2 out of 3 votes from conservatives. The incumbent Lieutenant Governor is Republican Mary Fallin, who is now running to succeed Ernest Istook as Representative from Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District.
Filtering: 1,000 Oklahoma adults were interviewed 8/25/06 - 8/27/06. Of them, 834 were registered to vote. Of them, 519 were judged to be "likely voters." Crosstabs reflect Likely Voters.
