Poll: Sandoval still leads in governor's race

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Republican Brian Sandoval continues to hold a double-digit lead over Democrat Rory Reid in the Nevada governor's race, according to a statewide poll released Saturday.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal and KLAS-TV survey shows Sandoval with 53 percent to Reid's 31 percent. Two weeks ago, a similar poll found Sandoval with 52 percent to Reid's 36 percent.

Sandoval, a former federal judge and state attorney general, and Reid, Clark County commission chairman, will meet for their first of four debates Sunday night in Las Vegas. Other debates are planned for Las Vegas, Reno and Elko.

In Clark County around Las Vegas, Sandoval of Reno leads Reid by 49 percent to 33 percent, according to the poll. Among independents, Sandoval enjoys a 55 percent to 22 percent advantage.

"Reid just isn't getting any traction anywhere," said Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of Washington, D.C., which conducted the poll.

The telephone survey of 625 registered voters was conducted Monday through Wednesday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus

4 percentage points.

The same poll also found four of five incumbent elected statewide officeholders lead their challengers.

The lone exception was Democratic state Controller Kim Wallin, who's in a statistical tie with Republican Brian Herr. Her 3 percentage point lead was within the margin of error.

In other races, Democratic Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has opened a 17 percentage point lead over Republican Travis Barrick, while Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki has maintained a 12 percentage point lead over Democrat Jessica Sferrazza.

Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller has a 14 percentage point lead over Republican Rob Lauer, while Democratic state Treasurer Kate Marshall holds a 7 percentage point advantage over Republican Steve Martin.