SEATTLE -- Democrat Jay Inslee has a slight advantage over Republican Rob McKenna in the 2012 Washington state Governor's race, according to a poll conducted by SurveyUSA.
The poll is the first look at the race following incumbent Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire's annnoucement that she will not seek a third term.
Inslee and McKenna both have Plus 15 favorability ratings: Inslee is 31 percent Favorable, 16 percent Unfavorable. McKenna is 36 percent Favorable, 21 percent Unfavorable.
When the two go head-to-head among registered voters, it's Inslee 47 percent, McKenna 44 percent.
Conservatives break 8:1 Republican and Liberals break 10:1 Democrat. Inslee's slight overall advantage comes from moderates, where he leads by 19 points.
Some 600 Washington state residents were interviewed for the poll. Of the 600, 515 were registered voters.
Inslee, who has represented Washington's First Congressional District since 1999, officially launched his campaign Monday morning at a biotech firm in downtown Seattle.
Attorney General Rob McKenna declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination earlier this month.
