Blogtown, PDX

Friday, April 4, 2008

Election 2008 Poll Results

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Fri, Apr 4 at 4:53 PM

The results are in:

FOR MAYOR:

FOR COMMISSIONER NO. 1:

FOR COMMISSIONER NO. 2:

FOR COMMISSIONER NO. 4:

What do these highly unscientific results mean? That Adams is ahead is no shocker—though I think that spread might be a bit inflated here on Blogtown (another poll found Adams under the 50 percent line).

The next two races are the most interesting. Fourteen percent in each race is unsure—in these down ballot races with so many qualified candidates, that’s another unsurprising development. When we re-run this poll in a few weeks, I think you’ll see the most movement in these races, as candidates get their literature out and meet more voters.

I have to say I’m surprised that Jeff Bissonnette is out ahead—the neck-and-neck numbers amongst his competitors is what I was expecting (Mike Fahey’s meager showing could be due to his lack of participation in our candidate questions). For those who voted Bissonnette (or any of the others, really), why is he your favorite?

Lastly, I’m of two minds on how close Nick Fish and Jim Middaugh are. I really didn’t know either of them before they jumped into the race, save for a few brief interactions with Middaugh in his role as Erik Sten’s chief of staff. But Fish should have plenty of name recognition around town, having run against Sam Adams most recently (it was a race this paper covered heavily). Has Middaugh really caught up that much in such a short time? Or are Mercury readers disproportionately leaning his way—and if so, why?

That Randy Leonard is ahead by such a wide margin shocks no one. His competitors are all lovely people—we just had then in for an endorsement interview, and the group gets along famously. But they’re all political unknowns.

(P.S.—WTF happened to the blog while I was in endorsement interviews all day??)

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Comments

what the fucks your point? It's sooo obvious you're shillin' for adams.
should'nt he have to report this thinly veiled endorsement as a campaign contribution?

Posted by Leland Gaunt | April 4, 2008 6:26 PM

My reason for voting Bissonette (and mind you, I won't be able to vote in the actual election....address is outside Portland) is that I've met the guy, and he really seems to have Portland's best interests at heart. He is incredibly bright, gregarious, and passionate. I think he'll be an excellent addition to the City Council.

Posted by Andrew | April 4, 2008 8:04 PM

The Adams results suggest people are beginning to realize Dozono is a liar (see: WWeek Rogue of the Week) in addition to being a stooge for corporate lobbyists (see: Bergstein poll) and having absolutely nothing to say on the campaign trail (see: any mayoral candidate forum).

You can tell I'm a Sam supporter by the way I can actually document my view. Like Adams, it's not just empty rhetoric.

On Middaugh, I think people's investment in name identification is overrated. I have no idea what Fish stands for. Well, he did say he wanted to be the next Erik Sten housing champion. Which I find fascinating in light of Sten's strong support for Middaugh.

Posted by Brentwood Darlington | April 4, 2008 8:28 PM

I do kind of wonder "What's his point?" with Sho. He's not Sam, so that gets him Lars and Bojack, but how's he going to get a majority if he's popular with those guys?

Also, I didn't even recognize Chris Smith as Christopher P. Smith.

Posted by James X. | April 5, 2008 12:40 AM

For the record, my name will be on the ballot as "Chris Smith" :-)

Posted by Chris Smith | April 5, 2008 11:21 AM

I would echo Andrew's comments about Jeff Bissonnette. I've talked to him a few times, and it's clear to me that he has the passion and the positions that I'm looking for in a city councilor, combined with the know-how to get things done.

To be certain, it's a talented field, but Jeff is the only one in the race that I think is ready to sit down on the council tomorrow and be ready to take care of business.

He's also a really nice guy:>

Posted by Logan Gilles | April 5, 2008 12:26 PM

Amy,
Based on your demographic these poll results make sense and are predictable. A lot of media outlets are running their own polls and the results skew toward their audience. Dozono whips Adams over on a KPAM radio poll.

What will decide the races is whether these varying demographics turn out to vote.

Posted by Dave Lister | April 7, 2008 9:12 AM

Well, Amanda's known as being hard to work with. Chris is transportation wonk, but Sam will keep PDOT, so it's not a good fit. John's all about education, which isn't City Council's job. And Charles is just weird, as well as being the business shill. Fahey isn't running.

Which leaves us with a smart, dedicated, progressive person endorsed by OLCV and Bike Walk PAC and some other folks -- Jeff Bissonnette.

Posted by Anon | April 7, 2008 9:31 AM