As reported exclusively today at canberratimes.com.au, 54 per cent of ACT voters surveyed by Patterson Research Group thought Ms Gallagher would make a better chief minister, while 26 per cent preferred Mr Seselja.

A further breakdown of the figures has shown that the preference for Ms Gallagher is even stronger among female voters, with 58 per cent of them preferring her in the Legislative Assembly's top job, compared to only 23 per cent preferring the Opposition Leader.

The telephone survey of 1203 eligible voters was conducted between October 11 and 14.

It began two days after Prime Minister Julia Gillard launched her now-famous attack in federal parliament on Liberal leader Tony Abbott.

On Tuesday, October 9, Ms Gillard branding Mr Abbott a misogynist and sexist in a scathing, emotion-charged verbal "smack-down" that gained international media attention.

Just two days later, on the morning of October 11, Mr Abbott went jogging with Mr Seselja.

The photo opportunity followed earlier accusations from ACT Labor that Mr Seselja was trying to avoid involving his federal counterpart in the Canberra Liberals' election campaign.

The Patterson Research Group polling for The Canberra Times, which began at 4.30pm on October 11, showed male voters also preferred Ms Gallagher as chief minister, but to a lesser extent — 50 per cent of males preferring her compared to 29 per cent opting for Mr Seselja.

TOMORROW

In Part 3 of The Canberra Times election poll special, we reveal who the poll respondents said they would vote for across the three ACT electorates. Find out who is likely to control the Legislative Assembly and predicted winners in your electorate in tomorrow’s Canberra Times and at canberratimes.com.au