This just in...

As up-and-coming members of the media, we've gotten hold of an interesting press release...

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LATEST RICHMOND MAYORAL POLL:
Distrust, Indecision, & Concern Regarding Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2005
CONTACT: LL Enterprises LLC: info@doubleLenteprises.net

Results of a poll regarding the Richmond, CA mayoral race, conducted September 15 – 30, 2006 by media relations/political consulting firm LL Enterprises LLC, shows a very tight race with many voters still on the fence about their 3 choices to lead the city over the next four years.

The poll results indicate that if the election were to take place tomorrow, all three candidates are extremely close, with Richmond business owner Gary Bell slightly ahead of current City Councilmember and Green Party candidate Gayle McLaughlin. Incumbent Mayor Irma Anderson comes in third, just a few points behind McLaughlin.

To the following key questions, respondents provided these results:

• Do you feel that you live in a city with “Pride & Purpose”?
No: 77%
Yes: 23%

Analysis: This seems to reflect a generalized displeasure about the city, to perhaps include a malaise regarding city politics.


• How serious a problem is crime in the City of Richmond as a whole?
Very serious: 87%
Somewhat serious: 11%
A bit serious: 1%
Not serious at all: 1%

• How serious is crime in your community?
Very serious: 29%
Somewhat serious: 40%
A bit serious: 25%
Not serious at all: 6%

Analysis: The differences in these results appear to indicate a general perception that Richmond has serious problems with crime. However, since 69% of respondents answer that crime in their community rates “somewhat serious” or greater, there is at least anecdotal evidence that crime remains a real problem.


• If the election were held tomorrow, who would be your choice for Mayor of Richmond?
Gary Bell (Banker): 22%
Gayle McLaughlin (Councilmember): 18%
Irma Anderson (Incumbent): 16%
Undecided: 42%

Analysis: The most interesting story in this poll may not be who has made up their mind, but who has not. Former Councilmember Bell and current Councilmember McLaughlin lead sitting Mayor Anderson, but a whopping 42% of Richmond voters surveyed for this poll responded that they have not made a decision on which candidate they will support in next month’s election.

“We believe that there are a number of factors in play here,” says LL Enterprises Managing Partner RC Williams. “There is an incumbent mayor who has been beat up quite a bit for a number of reasons, and can’t seem to shake the perception that she is a ‘gavelbanger’ who can’t take decisive action when required; a City Councilperson who — while well intentioned — does not seem to possess the experience or business savvy to run a city government; and a businessman who has been away from politics for a number of years and may be out of the loop of voters’ knowledge. Our figures bear out this indecision, but then we dug a little deeper.”

“In-depth, follow-up questioning indicates that Richmond voters want certain qualities in a mayor: leadership experience, business experience and political experience,” says LL Enterprises Managing Partner Wesley Westfall. “Along with a concrete plan on how to rebuild the city and reunite the electorate, it’s a formula that Richmond voters seem to be seeking. They want their city on the right track, and the real story will be which candidate can convey their message best to the numerous and demographically disparate residents, some of whom are either not completely informed about this race, or remain on the fence nonetheless.”

With the candidates’ forum that was broadcast live on Richmond Public Access Television Channel 28 on October 9th and others in the near future, voters will get an opportunity to see all three candidates in action in the few weeks left before Election Day. Amid a blitz of mailers and other advertising, combined with news attention, the candidates are obviously jockeying to communicate. Because this ballot occurs outside of a Presidential election cycle, turnout may be comparatively low. The three campaigns for Richmond Mayor must energize their base and collect voters in the undecided middle to assure victory.

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Sept. 15th to 30th might be a bit out of date considering some of the news that has come in, like Tent City developments, Anderson's car stipend foibles, and the slayings of Jesse Lee Woodsen and Musharaf Poswal.

It's still the ONLY polling data that the Tazer is aware of, and considering the consultation that must be going on in all mayoral camps, we're surprised this didn't happen sooner. Who is LLE, and on what side is their bread buttered? These sorts of polls don't pay for themselves, y'know?

But it's interesting all the same, mostly the part where an incumbent mayor isn't making the grade simply on her incumbency.