When we published a Public Policy Polling (PPP) poll on the governor’s race last week, which showed Democrat John Bel Edwards defeating Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter in a runoff, we advised to sit tight because more polls would be forthcoming.
And so it has come to pass. Two new polls were released last week. And both, like the PPP poll, are of concern to the Vitter camp.
The first out of the gate was an independent poll conducted by the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate and WWL-TV. It was not good news for Vitter. The poll showed that all three major opponents to Vitter would defeat him in a runoff, including Republicans Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and Democrat state Rep John Bel Edwards.
When respondents were asked to choose from all of the candidates, the results were Edwards 24%, Vitter 24%, Angelle 15%, and Dardenne14%, other candidates 5%, and undecided 18%.
But the much-criticized PPP poll got some redemption from the Advocate/WWL survey. In matching Vitter against his major opponents, the results showed Edwards leading Vitter 45-41%, Angelle leading Vitter 40-35%, and Dardenne leading Vitter 42-35%.
As a refresher, the PPP poll had Edwards leading Vitter by a 50 to 38% margin with only 12% undecided, Dardenne leading Edwards 42-40% with 18% undecided, and Angelle tied with Edwards at 40-40% with 20% undecided.
On the heels of the Advocate/WWL poll came another survey conducted by Triumph Campaigns. The results of its survey has Edwards at 35%, Vitter with 28%, Dardenne with 15%, Angelle at 10%, and other candidates with 7%. Triumph said while there have been discrepancies from one poll to another, there is one constant in its polling of the governor’s race. Unless something changes drastically between now and October 24, the primary election date, it’s still going to be Vitter and Edwards in the runoff.
In looking at other statewide races, Triumph Campaigns also polled other statewide races in its survey. Here are those results: Lieutenant Governor –
Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden (D) 28%, Jefferson Parish President John Young (R) 27%, former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser (R) 22%,, state Sen. Elbert Guillory (R) 6%, and undecided 17%. Attorney General –
Incumbent Buddy Caldwell (R) 27%, former U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry (R) 24%, attorney Ike Jackson (D) 24%, attorney Martin Maley (R) 6%, undecided 20%. Secretary of State –
Incumbent Tom Schedler (R) 44%, LSU law professor Chris Tyson (D) 33%, undecided 23%. State Treasurer –
Incumbent John Kennedy (R) 58%, attorney Jennifer Treadway (R) 17%, undecided 24%.
Best and worst governors
The Advocate/WWL survey asked another interesting question. Who is the best governor in recent times? The respondents selected four-term Democratic Gov. Edwin Edwards as the best governor. Here is the lineup. Best Governor Edwin Edwards (D) 31%, Mike Foster (R) 21%, Bobby Jindal (R) 14%, Kathleen Blanco (D) 11%, Buddy Roemer (R) 9%, and Dave Treen (R) 8%. In terms of worst governor: Bobby Jindal (R) 42%, Kathleen Blanco (D) 26%, Edwin Edwards (D) 14%), Buddy Roemer (R) 5%, Mike Foster (R) 4%, and Dave Treen (R) 3%.
Lou Gehrig Burnett is a seasoned veteran of politics. He publishes Fax-Net Update, a weekly political newsletter.
