Ross polls strong in 2014 Governor’s race
by March 21, 2013 5:13 pm 98 views
A new poll shows former U.S. Rep. Mike Ross with a sizable lead over former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and highway commissioner John Burkhalter among Democratic primary voters in the 2014 Arkansas Governor’s race.
In a three-way Democratic primary race, Ross pulled 45% support to Halter’s 27% and Burkhalter’s 7%. Undecided voters accounted for 22% of those polled.
The poll, conducted by Washington, D.C.-based Chism Strategies, surveyed 817 self-identified Democratic primary voters across Arkansas. It was taken Monday, March 18, 2013 using IVR technology and has a margin of error of +/-3.35%.
Talk Business Arkansas was provided a copy of the full poll from a corporate client in Arkansas with an interest in the Democratic primary match-up, but with no ties to any of the announced or possible Democratic or Republican candidates considering a run for Governor.
THE RESULTS
After asking whether or not voters planned to vote in the 2014 Democratic primary, a battery of questions gauged favorable/unfavorable ratings and head-to-head match-ups for Burkhalter, Halter and Ross.
What is your opinion of former Cong. Mike Ross?
29% Very favorable
31% Somewhat favorable (60% overall favorable)
12% Somewhat unfavorable
9% Very unfavorable (21% overall unfavorable)
18% Unable to rate
What is your opinion of former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter?
20% Very favorable
28% Somewhat favorable (48% overall favorable)
18% Somewhat unfavorable
17% Very unfavorable (35% overall unfavorable)
17% Unable to rate
What is your opinion of Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter?
2% Very favorable
14% Somewhat favorable (16% overall favorable)
15% Somewhat unfavorable
11% Very unfavorable (26% overall unfavorable)
59% Unable to rate
How satisfied would you be if Bill Halter were the only Democratic candidate for Governor?
24% Very satisfied
29% Somewhat satisfied (53% overall satisfied)
15% Somewhat unsatisfied
22% Very unsatisfied (37% overall unsatisfied)
10% Unable to rate
If the only candidates were Halter and Ross, who would you support?
38% Definitely support Ross
12% Likely support Ross (50% overall support)
17% Definitely support Halter
7% Likely support Halter (24% overall support)
26% Undecided
If the candidates were Halter, Ross and Burkhalter, who would you support?
34% Definitely support Ross
11% Likely support Ross (45% overall support)
19% Definitely support Halter
8% Likely support Halter (27% overall support)
5% Definitely support Burkhalter
2% Likely support Burkhalter (7% overall support)
22% Undecided
ANOTHER SURVEY
This weekend, Ross told the Associated Press that he was re-considering a challenge for Governor after Attorney General Dustin McDaniel bowed out of the race.
A recent Talk Business-Hendrix College survey taken in late February showed Ross faring better than Halter in a general election match-up against Republican Asa Hutchinson.
Neither John Burkhalter nor announced GOP candidate Curtis Coleman were included in that polling.
The Talk Business-Hendrix College survey of 675 general election voters showed Hutchinson ahead of Halter 47-31% with 22% undecided. The poll showed Hutchinson leading Ross 43-38% with 19% undecided.