In elections for statewide offices in Georgia today, 10/25/10, 8 days until votes are counted, Republican candidates defeat their Democratic opponents in each of 5 contests polled by SurveyUSA exclusively for WXIA-TV and V103-FM in Atlanta and WMAZ-TV in Macon, although 3 of the 5 contests may be decided in an 11/30/10 runoff election.

* Governor — Deal Leads Barnes 49%-39%, Keeps Former Governor From Retaking State House. Barnes is up a nominal point from an identical SurveyUSA poll released 6 weeks ago; Deal is flat. Barnes has gained ground among men and voters under age 50; there is offsetting momentum for Deal among women and voters 50+. Libertarian John Monds, at 8%, today takes the votes of 1 in 4 independents and 1 in 6 liberals, potentially keeping Deal just under the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff, though support for 3rd-party candidates sometimes collapses on Election Day.

* US Senate — Isakson Wins 2nd Term, Defeats Thurmond 2:1 Among Older Voters, 5:1 Among Whites. Incumbent Johnny Isakson 58%, Democratic challenger Mike Thurmond 34%. Republicans are positioned to hold the seat. Isakson is up 2 points since the previous poll; Thurmond is flat.

* Lieutenant Governor — Casey Cagle Defeats Democrat Carol Porter 53%-37%. Republicans are positioned to hold the seat.

* Attorney General — Republican Sam Olens Defeats Democrat Ken Hodges by 13 Points in Open Seat Fight. Olens finishes with exactly 50%, and with Libertarian Don Smart taking 7% of the vote overall, 26% among independents, and 18% among liberals. Runoff possible, but unlikely.

* School Superintendent — GOP Ex-Principal John Barge Defeats Democrat Joe Martin by 13 Points, but Below 50%.

As was true 6 weeks ago, in each contest, roughly 8 in 10 partisan voters vote for their party’s candidate, but Independents strongly favor the Republican. The Republican holds a significant lead in each contest among the 1 in 5 voters who tell SurveyUSA they have already cast their ballot; the contests are generally closer among those who say they are certain to vote on or before Election Day, especially in the race for Governor, where Deal leads by 25 points among those who have already voted and by 5 points among those who have not. In races where no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers advance to an 11/30/10 runoff.