Saturday March 1, 1997
CONTACT: Dr. Bruce Merrill: (602) 965-7051
KAET POLL:
LEGISLATURE RECEIVES "C-MINUS"
RATING FROM VOTERS;
PRIMARIES FOR GOVERNOR IN 1998
WIDE OPEN FOR BOTH PARTIES
A poll co-sponsored by KAET-TV and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications at Arizona State University found on a scale where 4.0 is an "A" rating the job the legislature is doing rated 1.9 or C minus. The low rating did not vary by age, gender, or by political party. According to Dr. Bruce Merrill who conducted the poll: "The negative ratings of the legislature are a little surprising since there has been a lot of emphasis on cutting taxes. The negative publicity surrounding leaders in the legislature and the perceived inability of the legislature to do anything about school funding are probably the two main reasons people view the legislature negatively."
The poll also asked voters in both of the major political parties who they would like to see become their nominee for governor in 1998. Preferences of the 230 Republicans interviewed indicated that the race in that party could be wide open. Governor Symington was preferred by 15%, Secretary of State Jane Hull and Congressman Matt Salmon each received 11% of the vote, Supt. Of Public Instruction Lisa Keegan was chosen by 9%, State Senator Tom Patterson 6% and Former Maricopa County Supervisor Tom Rawles 3%. Almost half 45% said they were undecided at this time.
About half (45%) of the 214 Democrats interviewed were also undecided. About one-third (34%) said they preferred former candidate Eddie Basha and 21% preferred former Phoenix mayor Paul Johnson. According to Dr. Merrill, " Especially on the Republican side it looks like an interesting race is shaping up. Anyone of four or five candidates have a real possibility of winning in 1998. Obviously it's still very early and the Republican primary will not be cleared up until Governor Symington's political career is determined by the courts."
In one other area, the poll found that 71% of all registered voters feel that people who register as independents should be able to vote in either the Republican or Democrat primary when primary elections are held.
-more-
The survey interviewed 500 registered voters living throughout the State of Arizona. The sampling error for the survey is plus or minus 4.4%. The interviewing was conducted during the period February 23 - 26, 1996. Forty-six percent (46%) of those interviewed were Republican,43% Democrat and 12% independent or other.
Q1: Overall, what letter grade - ABCD or E would you give the current Arizona Legislature for the job they are doing representing your interests?
| A - 2% | B - 18% | C - 52% | D - 18% | E - 10% |
Q2: ASKED TO REPUBLICANS: A number of Republicans are considering running for governor next year. Which of the following would be your early choice for governor?
| Symington 15% | Hull 11% | Salmon 11% | Keegan 9% | Patterson 6% | Rawles 3% | Don't Know 45% |
Q3: ASKED TO DEMOCRATS: The two most frequently mentioned Democrats who will probably run for Governor in 1998 are Eddie Basha and former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson. Do you have an early preference for one of those two candidates?
| Basha 34% | Johnson 21% | Don't Know 45% |
Q4: One bill before the legislature would allow people who currently are registered independents to be able to vote in either the Republican or Democrat primary elections. Currently independents can only vote in the general elections. Would you support or oppose this change in the law?
| SUPPORT 71% | OPPOSE 23% | DON'T KNOW 6% |