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An overwhelming majority of Alabama voters looks favorably on the idea of the state having a black governor, according to a survey taken earlier this year. Asked how they felt about "a black governor of Alabama," 74 percent of the surveyed voters said they felt very positive or somewhat positive. Slightly more than 7 percent said they felt somewhat or very negative. The results came in a survey on race relations and racial attitudes by the Alabama Education Association's Capital Survey Research Center. The poll was taken in parts of January and on Feb. 1-3. The sample was 879 registered voters. Center director Gerald Johnson said the gubernatorial sentiments were among other "hopeful" responses shown in the poll. The state's highest elected black official, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, said the governor question might not mean a lot because it is abstract and not tied to particular individuals. "There won't ever be an abstract question on the ballot should people ever elect a black governor," said Davis, who has thought about running for governor or the U.S. Senate in 2010. Nearly 50 percent of the black voters and 29 percent of the white voters were very positive. When those who felt somewhat positive were added to the mix, 81 percent of the black voters and 73 percent of the white voters were favorable. Among those who identified themselves as strong Republicans, 23 percent were very positive on the idea of a black governor, and 49 percent said they were somewhat positive. [more]