New GOP poll shows Pence, Gregg in a tight battle

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A new poll shows the race for governor between Republican Mike Pence and Democrat John Gregg is a toss up.

The Enterprise Republicans, a splinter group founded by former Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle, commissioned the poll.

Oesterle chose to release it to the public even though it contains relatively bad news for Governor Pence.

The poll indicates that Pence is in a real battle for re-election and that voters don’t like his performance as governor to this point.

In the head-to-head matchup against Democrat John Gregg, Pence leads by four, 40 percent to 36 percent.

But the poll, conducted by GOP pollster Christine Matthews, has a margin of error of four percent.

It also found that just 40 percent of voters currently approve of the job being done by Mike Pence, whereas 42 percent disapprove.

“There is a clear problem here,” said Megan Robertson of the Enterprise Republicans. “We have an incumbent governor who is not in a very strong position, more people disapprove of what he’s been doing than approve of what he’s been doing, and the majority of independents want to see a new person in office.”

24-Hour News 8 asked the Pence campaign for reaction and didn’t hear back.

Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb said the poll reflects an anti-establishment mood that exists around the country. He said he still feels confident about Mike Pence’s re-election chances.

“Hoosiers are following the race this time,” said John Gregg. “Hoosiers know that he’s not Mitch Daniels. They know that he is out of step even with the Republican Party and that’s to our advantage.”

The poll also shows Donald Trump beating Hillary Clinton in Indiana if the election was held now. Trump holds a nine point lead, 40 percent to 31 percent.