Governor’s Race Gets Tighter, Poll Shows

Alabama Democratic Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman has a statistically insignificant lead in his gubernatorial race against Republican Gov. Forrest “Fob” James Jr., whose popularity has risen since his bitter primary runoff victory June 30, according to a poll conducted for the Birmingham News and Huntsville Times. Siegelman led James by 48% to 44% in the Alabama Poll conducted Thursday and Friday by Southern Opinion Research of Tuscaloosa. The margin of error was plus or minus 5 percentage points. The general election is Nov. 3. A similar poll in June gave Siegelman a 51% to 41% lead over James.