(RICHMOND – WINA) A new independent poll from Connecticut’s Quinnipiac University shows Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam leading Republican Ed Gillespie by 8 points in the contest for Virginia governor. Northam leads Gillespie 47 – 39 % in this survey. More than 13% of the respondents have not made a choice or declined to answer.

Voters will elect a new Governor on November 7th. The Virginia constitution does not allow the current Chief Executive, Democrat Terry McAuliffe, to seek a second term.