A new poll released Thursday shows Democratic candidate for insurance commissioner Jasper Schneider leading his Republican opponent Adam Hamm 35 percent to 29 percent with 36 percent of voters undecided.

The poll, financed by the North Dakota United Transportation Union and conducted by Minnesota-based DFM Research, was conducted earlier this week

The Fargo Forum also released its poll this week, which showed Hamm taking 34 percent of the vote to Schneider's 22 percent with 43 percent undecided.

Dean Mitchell, who conducted the poll for NDUTU, said his poll labeled the candidates by their political party and the Forum's poll did not, which likely altered the way people answered.

He added that the Forum's poll was conducted before Schneider released an ad critical of Hamm that could have changed some voters' minds.

The poll also shows presidential hopeful Democrat Barack Obama leading Republican John McCain 44 percent to 41 percent with 12 percent of voters undecided.

John Risch of the NDUTU said Democrats running for statewide offices could benefit this election if Obama continues to poll high in North Dakota.

"Let's face it, these down ticket races are where people don't spend a lot of time," Risch said. "When they see the 'D' or the 'R' that will influence them."

Other results include:

n Governor's race: Gov. John Hoeven leading Democratic-NPL challenger Sen. Tim Mathern, 66 percent to 22 percent.

n House race: Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., leading his Republican challenger Duane Sand, 55 percent to 30 percent.

n Measure 2: 37 percent of voters want it approved, 38 percent don't and 25 percent are unsure.

The UTU poll surveyed 504 North Dakotans statewide. The margin of error is 4.4 percent.

PAC attack

Republican House challenger Duane Sand raised more money in the last quarter than his Democratic opponent Earl Pomeroy, according to their latest campaign filing reports.

From July through September, Sand raised about $595,000 while Pomeroy took in about $361,000.

Pomeroy still has more money than Sand, with about $1.2 million on hand. Sand has about $153,000 on hand and is about $278,000 in debt.

The vast majority of Sand's money in the last quarter came from individuals, while about $250,000 of Pomeroy's money came from PACs.

Sand criticized Pomeroy on Thursday because the House member took about $16,000 from banking groups last quarter and then voted to pass a $700 billion bailout bill in October.

"Pomeroy received bank money the very week of the vote," Sand said in a press statement. "Why does he think the banks wanted to give him money?"

University of North Dakota political science professor Dana Harsell said Sand's tactic may not do him much good at this point as Pomeroy continues to poll high around the state.

"I think there has to be some clear evidence of impropriety," Harsell said of the banking money Pomeroy takes. "The money can be donated in all different kinds of ways."

Pomeroy's campaign responded Thursday, saying Sand was taking the "low road" and that he is trailing in the polls.

Absentee growth

More than 19,000 North Dakotans have voted already, Secretary of State Al Jaeger announced Thursday.

The number of ballots cast in the 21 vote-by-mail counties is already 8,095. In 2004, 7,844 people cast vote-by-mail ballots in those 21 counties.

So far, 11,116 people have voted by absentee ballot in the state's 32 remaining counties. In 2004, 43,272 voted by absentee ballot.

Bergian endorsed

Democratic-NPL candidate for Public Service Commission Cheryl Bergian said Thursday she has the endorsement of United Steelworkers Local 566.

"I appreciate the support of these hard working men and women …" Bergian said.

No Boyer

Farmer Gregg Boyer, who said he intended to run as an independent candidate for governor, missed the Oct. 14 deadline to file his paperwork with the secretary of state's office to be a write-in candidate, Secretary of State Al Jaeger said Thursday.

Boyer postmarked his paperwork Oct. 15.

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@;bismarcktribune.com.)