(Cross-posted from The California Courage Campaign)

Debra Bowen enjoys a 6 point lead over appointed secretary of state Bruce McPherson in the latest Field Poll, which was taken from 10/23-10/30.

Debra Bowen (D) 40%

Bruce McPherson (R) 34%

Undecided 26%

She's expanded her support from 38% back in July, a trend that may be slight but it's there and it's in her favor.

"It's not moving against her. The trend is more important than the number," DiCamillo said. "To me, that is significant."

Another good sign for Bowen can be found in the internals of the poll.

The support of the two candidates is sharply divided along party lines. More than two-thirds of Democrats and Republicans support their parties' candidate, with 67 percent of Democrats for Bowen and 69 percent of Republicans for McPherson. Thirty-seven percent of nonpartisan voters support Bowen, while 20 percent favor McPherson. "The nonpartisans are breaking for Bowen, and that's what is giving her the lead," DiCamillo said.

With such a huge number of undecideds, just as in the initiative races, the result of this race will largely depend on which way undecideds swing. So the fact that the nonpartisans are supporting Bowen is huge.

More of the poll over the flip. 

The tightest race of the year is turning out to be for Lieutenant Governor.

John Garamendi (D) 44%

Tom McClintock (R) 43%

Undecided 13%

John Garamendi now holds a statistically insignificant 1 point lead over conservative Tom McClintock. McClintock's strength should come as no surprise to anyone who remembers him from the recall election. He has strong support within the party, which is reflected in the internals:

Garamendi is drawing support from 73 percent of Democrats, while McClintock has 81 percent of Republicans voting for him. Among nonpartisans, 47 percent favor Garamendi and 32 percent support McClintock.

Again, nonpartisans are breaking in the Democrat's direction, which should put Garamendi over the top in the end. The fact is he is well to the right of California.

Other races:

Attorney General

Jerry Brown (D) 56%

Chuck Poochigian (R) 31%

Undecided 13%

Brown's support is up 11 points from July.

Treasurer

Bill Lockyer (D) 45%

Claude Parrish (R) 26%

Undecided 29%

Controller

John Chiang (D) 38%

Tony Strickland (R) 31%

Undecided 31%

Insurance Commissioner

Cruz Bustamante (D) 37%

Steve Poizner (R) 46%

Undecided 17%

Cruz is supported by only 59% of Democrats.