Mark Warner leads Gilmore by nearly 2-to-1 in poll

Democrat Mark R. Warner is cruising toward an easy victory for the U.S. Senate, leading Republican Jim Gilmore 2-to-1.

The latest Richmond Times-Dispatch poll shows Warner favored by 61 percent, Gilmore by 32 percent.

The findings are essentially unchanged from three previous polls conducted for the T-D by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. of Washington, DC.

In September, Warner was ahead of Gilmore, 61 percent to 28 percent. There were similar spreads in two surveys earlier this month.

Warner and Gilmore—both former governors—are vying for the Senate seat of retiring Republican John Warner.

Though he’s contributed money to Gilmore, John Warner isn’t saying whether he’ll vote for him.

Twice this week, the five-term senator has said only that he’s closely following the Senate campaign.

According to the new Times-Dispatch Poll, Mark Warner leads Gilmore in all areas of the state, though the Democrat is barely ahead in a Republican stronghold, the Shenandoah Valley.

Warner also leads among blacks and whites, and is pulling 32 percent of self-identified Republicans.

The Times-Dispatch Poll is based on interviews Wednesday and Thursday with 625 registered voters. Results could vary four percentage points in either direction.