by Glynn Wilson
A Republican polling and consulting company is claiming that Dr. Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa, who has been running television ads saying he will not draw a paycheck if elected governor, is catching Republican front-runner Bradley Byrne and is tied with former judge Roy Moore in the GOP primary race for governor of Alabama set for June 1.
Among registered, likely primary voters surveyed March 31-April 1, 25 percent said they support Byrne, up eight percent from a similar poll in February. While 19 percent say they support Moore, the former Ten Commandments Judge has dropped 10 points since February.
Bentley only had the support of 12 percent in February, but in the March 31-April 1 survey, he had surged to 18 percent and moved into a statistical tie with Moore. Bentley is now two points above former Gov. Fob James’ son Tim James, who has the support of 16 percent, up three points since February.
The survey of 404 registered, likely primary voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.
“Dr. Bentley’s 12-point move is the greatest of any candidate, including Bradley Byrne — who has spent over three times the amount of dollars on television advertising — and Moore has dropped 10 points statewide,” according to the release from Dresner, Wickers and Associates. “Dr. Bentley leads in the Montgomery media market and is statistically dead-even with Byrne in Birmingham.”
Dr. Bentley’s support has increased among self-identified Republicans, Independents and Democrats who say they are likely to vote in the Republican primary for governor, the survey shows.
“Dr. Bentley is alone in second place among independents and leads by 9 points among self- identified Democrats,” the researchers say. “Dr. Bentley’s increase in total name recognition and favorability statewide accounts for his movement on the ballot; and attests to the effectiveness of his recent statewide television advertising campaign.”
In less than four weeks Dr. Bentley has gone from being virtually unknown statewide to being recognized by nearly two-thirds of the Republican primary electorate – and having a 6 to 1 favorable to unfavorable ratio.
“Despite being outspent 4 to 1 by his opponents, Dr. Robert Bentley’s recent television ad campaign has him surging today in the race for governor of Alabama,” the campaign consultants say. “Dr. Bentley has moved further and faster than any other candidate this past month, and is now known to nearly two-thirds of the electorate.”
They cliam Republican primary voters “have responded positively to Dr. Bentley’s core values, his proven record of leadership, and his vision to create new jobs for Alabamians. Dr. Bentley is well-positioned to make the run-off and win the Republican primary election.”
Over the past 20 years, Dresner, Wickers and Associates LLC has conducted research and polling for Republican candidates nationally, in Alabama, and throughout the South, according to the company’s bio. In 2008, DWA provided polling and media for the Presidential campaign of Governor Mike Huckabee. It is one of the nation’s leading Republican consulting firms, with “a long record of electing challenger candidates across the country.”
© 2010, Glynn Wilson. All rights reserved.
