Current state Treasurer Stacy Garrity faces an uphill battle. Despite a warm welcome in Warren County in June, the Republican candidate governor is the underdog in the race for the state’s top spot.

According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll that surveyed 895 self-identified registered voters in Pennsylvania from July 9-13, 53% support Gov. Josh Shapiro’s bid for a second term as governor, while 40% support Garrity.

Both candidates have commanding numbers among registered voters in their respective parties, while Shapiro holds a strong advantage among independents.

In the latest poll, 96% of Democrats support Shapiro’s campaign, while 1% back Garrity’s bid. Eighty-seven percent of Republicans are supporting Garrity’s bid to unseat Shapiro, while 10% are supporting Shapiro’s bid for a second term.

Fifty-eight percent of independents would vote for Shapiro if the election were held today, while 29% said they would vote for Garrity.

Like other polling conducted over the past few months, Shapiro maintains a double-digit lead and is viewed as the favorite in this race, though Garrity is cutting into it, albeit slowly.

“Still one of the country’s most popular governors, Josh Shapiro benefits by his opponent Stacy Garrity’s greatest obstacle: people don’t know much about her,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

In our weekly poll, “Who do you favor for governor of Pennsylvania in this year’s election?” The results were close with Shapiro receiving 49% and Garrity at 51%.

This week’s poll question, at timesobserver.com: Are electricity bills creating havoc for your household?