Hartford — A potential face-off between Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Republican Tom Foley could end up being a repeat of the neck-and-neck race they ran in 2010, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University poll released today that showed each candidate being backed by 42 percent of those surveyed.

Malloy defeated Foley in 2010 by less than half of a percentage point. Among potential Republican candidates, 36 percent said they support Foley, followed by Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton with 11 percent and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti with 6 percent. Foley is better known than the other Republicans, so it is understandable that he is in the lead, said Douglas Schwartz, director of the poll.

“The poll is good news for Tom Foley,” Schwartz said. “He dominates in the Republican primary for governor. He is also the strongest general election candidate against Governor Malloy.”

But at the same time, Schwartz said, things could change between now and Election Day, and Malloy wasn’t putting much stock in a March poll.

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