The latest Eyewitness News/Survey USA poll shows a gap extending between Brown and Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. The same poll shows the gap closing between the two candidates for U.S. Senate, incumbent Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer and Republican Carly Fiorina.
Former two-time California Governor Jerry Brown went on television with his own money for the first time next week. Until now the Brown's ads have been funded by unions, like the one representing workers at the Commerce factory.
Brown toured ACCO to promote clean energy to create jobs.
The Survey USA poll shows the gap between Brown and his Republican challenger Meg Whitman growing wider, with Brown seven points behind the former CEO of EBay. Brown is not impressed.
"I've seen polls that show me ahead. I've seen polls that show me behind," said Brown. "This, remember, is September. This campaign will go over the next eight and a half weeks and the people of this state will get a real choice."
Whitman has spent more than $104 million of her own money and keeps digging into her billionaire bank account.
Brown has about $30 million and he won't start spending until next week.
"Mark my words: We will have enough communication on the airwaves of California so that the people of California on November 2nd can make an informed choice," said Brown.
In the U.S. Senate race, veteran Democrat Barbara Boxer faces former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, the Republican challenger. Boxer has gained since the previous Survey USA poll on August 11; she's now is in a statistical tie, with Fiorina two points behind.
"Every poll has Barbara Boxer significantly below 50 percent," said Fiorina. "Most polls have her below 45 percent. That's a really tough place for an incumbent to be."
Fiorina was in Burbank at the Republican headquarters trying to turn out her voters. But Wednesday night she participated in what may be the first and last debate with her Democratic opponent.
"Career politicians have become part of the problem," said Fiorina. "They're not about solving problems, they are about feathering their own nests and taking care of their friends and staying in office."
Whitman was off the trail Thursday. She's on jury duty.
Eight and a half weeks in politics is a very long time if a candidate takes advantage of it.
