Bill Ritter trounced his Republican opponent to win Colorado's governorship in 2006, but now in a state that has been trending Democratic and even hosted the party's national convention last year, the incumbent Democrat may be facing problems in his 2010 reelection bid.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Colorado finds Ritter trailing Republican challenger Scott McInnis by five points - 44% to 39% - in an early look at next year's race for governor.
Ritter's in a virtual tie with another GOP challenger, state Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry. Ritter picks up 41% of the vote to Penry's 40%.
In the Ritter-McInnis contest, seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate and 10% are not sure who to vote for. In the Ritter-Penry match-up, seven percent (7%) like another candidate, while 12% are undecided.
This is the first Rasmussen Reports look at 2010 races in Colorado. Potential Senate match-ups will be released at 5 pm EDT today.
