Republicans dominate all Polls, Reflecting National Trends for Independents
During the last half of August, the City-County Observer conducted non-scientific online polls for both of the national offices and for the Vanderburgh County offices of Assessor and Auditor.
In our polls for the congressional races our readers that elected to cast votes in our polls preferred Republican candidate Dan Coats who is running for United States Senator against the former Vanderburgh County Sheriff and local favorite son Congressman Brad Ellsworth. In the other poll newcomer Republican Dr. Larry Bucshon who is challenging the long time popular state legislator from Posey County Trent Van Haaften to become the Congressman from Indiana’s 8th District. In both races many votes were cast but much to our surprise in the end the Republican candidates garnered roughly a 2 to 1 margin over both Democrats. Our surprise was rooted in the fact that our readers are predominately independent.
National polls project a 20+ point margin of victory for Dan Coats over Congressman Ellsworth, but only project a moderate margin of victory for Dr. Bucshon.
The poll for Vanderburgh County Assessor pitting Republican Bill Fluty against incumbent Democrat Jonathan Weaver drew the highest vote tally to date of any poll conducted by the City County Observer.
In a race that attracted nearly 400 votes Mr. Fluty outpolled Mr. Weaver by roughly a 2 to 1 margin. Mole #3 tells us that there was some mischief going on among Mr. Weaver’s Democratic friends. It seems as though Mr. Weaver’s willingness to oppose the status quo and take independent positions inspired many of his pseudo Democratic supporters to cross party lines. Was this to send a message to Mr. Weaver or was it because a group of Democrats really want to elect a Republican to the office of Vanderburgh County Assessor? We are counting on Mole #3 to advise us on the real breakdown someday soon, so stay tuned.
In the race for Vanderburgh County Auditor between Republican Joe Gries and newcomer Democrat Maura Robinson, the results were even more one sided. In a poll that drew less than 200 voters Mr. Gries drew approximately 6.5 votes for every vote that Ms. Robinson attracted. One reason for Ms. Robinson’s shallow support could be her service on the board of directors of the politically embattled and controversial GAGE (Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville). As a newcomer who is not politically well known she may be able to explain her tepid support.
The City County Observer appreciates its readers expressing their preferences through voting in our polls and we will continue to solicit the input of our readers by posting polls. Next up, we shall see. Good luck to all of the candidates in the following campaign season.
