Corbett

HARRISBURG — As Pennsylvania's gubernatorial candidates prepared to report on their campaign finances Friday, a new poll showed Democratic nominee Dan Onorato has erased much of Republican rival Tom Corbett's lead.

The survey by Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University showed Corbett holding a slight lead, with backing from 49 percent of likely voters and Onorato, the elected executive of Allegheny County, with 44 percent. Six percent remain undecided.

A September survey by the same pollster showed Corbett, the state attorney general, with a 15-point lead.

"As we get closer to Election Day, Democrats are showing more interest in voting. This is often the case in off-year elections and that makes this a more competitive race," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the university's polling institute.

Friday was the deadline for state candidates to file their last pre-election campaign finance reports, covering contributions and spending through Monday. During the two weeks before the Nov. 2 election, candidates are required by state law to report contributions of $500 or more with the state elections bureau within 24 hours.

As of Sept. 13, the last date covered by the last reports, Corbett had $7.7 million on hand and Onorato had $3.4 million.

In the latest poll, l6 percent of Onorato's supporters and 14 percent of Corbett's supporters said they might change their minds before the Nov. 2 election.