Gov. John G. Rowland is maintaining a large lead over two Democratic challengers in the gubernatorial race, although his favorability rating has slipped slightly, a University of Connecticut poll showed Wednesday.

In the poll, Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen gained ground on former Comptroller Bill Curry.

Poll respondents favored the two-term Republican governor over Curry by 25 points, 54 percent to 29 percent. Rowland held a larger lead over Jepsen, with 57 percent to the senator’s 24 percent. The remainder of those polled were undecided or said they would not vote.

The poll did not ask registered Democrats whether they would favor Curry or Jepsen in a primary.

Jepsen gained six percentage points since the last UConn poll in January, when Rowland held a 63 percent to 18 percent lead. Curry gained two percentage points since the January poll, which showed Rowland with a 58 percent to 27 percent lead.

At the same time, Rowland’s favorability rating slipped a little. About 58 percent of registered voters said they thought Rowland was doing an”excellent” or “good” job, down from 64 percent in January.

Rowland had a similar favorability rating six months before his 1998 victory over former U.S. Rep. Barbara Kennelly, 63 percent to 35 percent.

The telephone poll of 428 registered voters was conducted statewide from April 3 to April 15. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

–Associated Press