Abrams, Kemp Tied In New National Poll Of GA Governor's Race

A new NBC News/Survey Monkey Online poll shows Georgia's governor's race tied between Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp, with 14% of voters undecided. The poll, released Monday, show Kemp and Abrams tied at 43%. The poll also showed voters in Southern states are likely to vote Republican in this fall's midterm elections except in Georgia, where 47% said they would vote for the Democratic candidate in Congress and 44% would vote for the GOP candidate.

Abrams is seeking to become the nation's first African-American female governor, while Kemp, currently Georgia's secretary of state, is seeking to maintain the GOP's control of the governorship since 2002.

The poll also showed while a majority of adults in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee approve of President Donald Trump's job performance, 54% of Georgians disapprove of the way Trump is handing his job. Only 28% of Southerners approve of the way Congress is handling its job and 70% disapprove. Voters in Georgia, along with Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee think economy and jobs should be the most important priority.

Trump won 51% of the Georgia vote in 2016.

Early voting begins Oct. 15 in Georgia, but more than 9,000 absentee ballots have already been cast, as the state's governor's race continues to capture national attention. Former president Barack Obama has already endorsed Abrams, but on Monday he announced endorsements of several other candidates, including two first-time female candidates in two metro Atlanta congressional races.

More Recent Patch Election Coverage

• America's Most Watched Governor's Race: Early Voting Begins Soon
• Dead Heat: Abrams, Kemp Tied In GA Governor Poll
• Federal Judge Rules No Paper Ballots In GA For 2018 Election

Since the early 2000s, Republicans have held every statewide elected office in Georgia and a congressional majority. However, Democrats hope to increase turnout statewide next month based on the nature of Abrams' historic candidacy. Abrams made history in May 2018 when she became the first African-American female gubernatorial candidate for either party.

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Image Kemp, Abrams Campaign