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Perceptions of Local Candidates TallahasseeVoices is a pro bono internet survey panel sponsored by Kerr & Downs Research with special media support of WCTV. Survey was conducted July 10th through July 16th, 2012. 364 of the 5,000 panel members responded. Results are weighted to reflect the demographics of the 90%+ local residents who have access to the internet at home, work, or school. TallahasseeVoices – brought to you by: Kerr & Downs Research Phillip Downs. Ph.D., Senior Partner pd@kerr-downs.com
Perceptions of Candidates for Local Office The purpose of this survey was to gauge citizens’ perceptions of candidates running for office in Leon County. This survey measures awareness and overall perceptions. This survey is not a prediction of local election results because: • Questions were not posed in an election format, • Many local races are not county-wide, and • This survey was conducted during the middle of the campaign period Source: TallahasseeVoices, a pro bono project by Kerr & Downs Research
Interpretation • Phillip Downs, Founder of TallahasseeVoices, on commenting about the results, • “First, let me make it clear that we are not attempting to predict the election. Our survey is county-wide, while many of these races are not. Second, we did not pose questions in the “If the election were held today…” format. Further, this survey was in mid-July and many events have affected potential voters’ perceptions since then. Last, the respondents in this survey are not necessarily going to vote in the primary election. • Observations: • Results seem to be biased against long-time politicians. For example, Larry Campbell and Scott Maddox have relatively high unfavorable ratings. Yet, both of these individuals have won multiple local races, and both have been in the local political spotlight for many years. • Despite a recent flap involving former Leon Principal, Rocky Hanna, Jackie Pons has the highest favorable ratings. • Desloge, running without opposition, shows why - his positives are second only to Pons’ ratings. • Lindley’s long service to the local paper seems to be a double-edged sword as her positives and her negatives are relatively high. • Gillum maintains a very positive public image as his awareness and favorable ratings are near the top. • Inzer also occupies an enviable position in respondents’ minds.
Candidates with the highest citizen awareness • Pons – 89% awareness • Desloge – 82% awareness • Gillum – 81% awareness • Maddox – 80% awareness • Campbell – 80% awareness • Inzer – 77% awareness • Lindley – 72% Source: TallahasseeVoices, a pro bono project by Kerr & Downs Research
Candidates with the highest positives • Pons – 65% • Desloge – 61% • Gillum – 55% • Inzer – 48% • Lindley – 44% • Crumpler – 43% • Maddox – 42% Source: TallahasseeVoices, a pro bono project by Kerr & Downs Research
Candidates with the highest negatives • Campbell – 40% • Maddox – 38% • Akinyemi – 30% • Inzer – 29% • Stewart – 29% • Lindley – 28% • Turner – 28% Source: TallahasseeVoices, a pro bono project by Kerr & Downs Research
Overall Favorable/Unfavorable Rating Source: TallahasseeVoices, a pro bono project by Kerr & Downs Research