Poll: Mitch Landrieu, Vitter in dead heat for ’15 governor’s race

WASHINGTON — New national polling data puts U.S. Sen. David Vitter and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu in a dead heat for Louisiana’s 2015 governor’s race, with Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne only slightly behind.

The poll conducted by North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling, which conducts polls for Democrats and progressives, focused mostly on the governor’s race and the three aforementioned potential candidates, none of whom have stated their intentions.

The firm released additional polling data on Wednesday that focused on the re-election chances of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and the declining favorability ratings of Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is term limited.

The polling was conducted on Feb. 8 to Feb. 12 — the height of Mardi Gras activities — by surveying 603 Louisiana voters through automated telephone interviews.

The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percent.

The polling results matched Mitch Landrieu and Vitter, R-La., in a head-to-head match with them tied at 44 percent support each. Landrieu led 44 percent to 42 percent when pitted against Dardenne.

The survey did not match Vitter and Dardenne against each other candidate.

Landrieu had a 49 percent favorability rating compared with 26 percent unfavorable and 25 percent “not sure.” Dardenne had a 41 percent favorability rating with 23 percent grading him unfavorable and 35 percent “not sure.”

The question of Vitter was worded differently and asked to judge his job performance and not whether he was seen as favorable or not. Vitter had a 46 percent job approval rating with 38 percent disapproving and 16 percent “not sure.”

“Mitch Landrieu has an unusual amount of appeal to Louisiana voters for a Democrat,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling. “A gubernatorial run by him would make for a pretty interesting race.”

Landrieu would first have to decide next year whether to run for re-election as mayor.

The poll also looked at how potential presidential contenders would fare in Louisiana in 2016. The only Democrat included was former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who had a 46 percent favorability rating.

The survey data had her tied with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., in a presidential matchup and had Clinton ahead of both Jindal and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in Louisiana Clinton led Jindal 48 percent to 45 percent, according to the poll.

Out of those surveyed, 54 percent said they voted for GOP nominee Mitt Romney in November compared with 40 percent for President Barack Obama.

The poll also looked at same-sex marriage, with only 25 percent of responders supporting gay marriage, but a much larger 54 percent supporting some form of legal recognition like civil unions.

The data also showed New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has a huge 86 percent favorability rating and that 42 percent of the participants still see former Gov. Edwin Edwards favorably. Edwards’ past opponent, David Duke, only had a 9 percent favorability rating in a reliving of the infamous 1991 gubernatorial race.

Comments

1) Comment by Marvin6 - 03/03/2013

Landrieu cannot even clean up the mess he has made in New Orleans, yet, along the mess Jindal is making!

2) Comment by Marvin6 - 03/03/2013

Not much of a choice! Why would we want a governor, who cannot even fix the street lights and pot holes in New Orleans. MItch won't get my vote!

3) Comment by ex-louisianian - 19/02/2013

David Vitter should feel lucky that Ted Cruz has taken the reigns as the Senate's resident boob. I think, though, for that very reason, he will resign and run for governor, and likely win, so he can fight for the title among his fellow governors. It'll be tough work against the likes of Paul LaPage and Scott Walker, but Vitter is game.

4) Comment by ex-louisianian - 19/02/2013

Oh FFS, jeffsadow, haven't you learned anything from the 2012 election? There are 100,000 more registered white Republicans than white Democrats, but there are 700,000 registered black Democrats. Consequently, the voting electorate even in an off-year election will tilt Democrat in LA. And in any case, the partisan affiliation is only reflected after the sample is selected. Any legitimate polling company will reflect this.

5) Comment by Warp7 - 15/02/2013

We really have some folks here living in the twilight zone, believing Vitter has accomplished anything in DC. What has he really done in DC, nothing at all. Unfortunately I do believe we have enough idiots in this state that would actually vote him in as governor.

6) Comment by Attila - 15/02/2013

I think Vitter needs to stay where he is....he can accomplish more in DC than in La. I do not care for either Landrieu or Dardenne. Dardenne is nothing more than an opportunist. I don't think he has ever finished a term in the office to which he was elected. He is a moving target, and likes to move on before the voters get on to him. It is not earth shattering that Mitch would be leading as this state is so full of low information and "vulanble" voters it is to be expected.

7) Comment by The_Host - 15/02/2013

Wow that is some selection we have to choose from so far. In a septic tank I guess that ain't cream rising to the top.

8) Comment by crazycajun - 15/02/2013

All any democrat has to ask is "ya'll want more of the same of what ya'll been getting". Case closed slam dunk. By the way jeff, 2/3 of the voters in La. are registered democrat. LOL

9) Comment by jeffsadow - 15/02/2013

The poll is a poor reflection of reality, because it overweighed Democrat respondents. See http://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2013/02/optimistic-poll-reading-cant-hide.html.

10) Comment by DMJ - 15/02/2013

You had me at 'Vitter would be unemployed.'

11) Comment by Lannonmac - 15/02/2013

If I had it my way Jay Dardenne would be Governor, Mitch Landrieu and Mary Landrieu would both be Louisiana Senators and Vitter would be unemployed. That would be a WIN, WIN, because Louisiana would have a very capable Governor, two very capable Senators and David Vitter would have plenty of free time to indulge his diaper fantasies at the brothel of his choice. Jay Dardenne is a rare moderate Republican, who is not governed by the radical right and has a proven record of administrative excellence. I suspect he would be the best person to repair the damage done to Louisiana by the Jindal administration.

12) Comment by DMJ - 15/02/2013

Landrieu as governor? I could get behind that. He's already been Lt. Governor. He'd be good at it. Lord knows we'll have plenty of post-Jindal cleanup to do.

13) Comment by tradewinns - 14/02/2013

a democrat polling firm. i am just shocked that dems would win all the elections and come in a decent distance behind god in holiness. i'll go to the next repblican meeting and take another poll and see who will win then. the issue is in doubt as to which republican will poll highest in beating any democrat. why is this even in the paper?

14) Comment by speakthetruth - 14/02/2013

To the Republican party; if you are putting up Vitter to represent the Republican party, I will vote for the Democrat. This is the problem with the Republican's, they are going to put someone like Vitter to run for governor when Vitter has done absolutely nothing during his time in the Senate. Vitter is a typical politician. Send me a fresh face with some energy.