Farleigh Dickinson Poll Results

Filed in Delaware by on October 5, 2010

Fairleigh Dickinson has released poll results for several Delaware races. The poll finds John Carney with a 15% lead, with Urquhart’s support in the mid-30s.

But according to the most recent poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind, Democrat and former Lt. Gov. John Carney is leading Republican Glen Urquhart by 51%-36% for the House seat soon to be vacated by Republican Mike Castle.

“Reputation and name brand matter,” said Peter Woolley, professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University and director of the poll, “and it matters a little more in Delaware than in most states,” he said. While Carney predictably leads comfortably in New Castle County (56-32), he runs even with Urquhart (43-43) in the more Republican counties of Kent and Sussex.

Urquhart is underperforming O’Donnell slightly, so he probably has room to grow his numbers. Carney is also underperforming Chris Coons. The hot Senate race has really overshadowed the U.S. House race in this cycle.

For Auditor of Accounts, Richard Korn has a lot of ground to make up, Wagner leads by 15% (but is under the magic 50% mark).

Likewise, one of five voters (20%) is undecided in the race for auditor of accounts where Republican incumbent Tom Wagner leads the Democrat Richard Korn by 46%-31%. Wagner leads downstate by a 2-to-1 margin, 55-24 and in New Castle County by 42-35.

The Treasurer’s race may turn out to be the most interesting race. The poll found Flowers and Bonini tied.

In the race for state treasurer, Democrat Chip Flowers and Republican Colin Bonini are neck and neck at 38%-38%, with 21% unsure. Flowers leads in New Castle by 41%-34%, while Bonini leads downstate by 44-33. “Don’t look for many of the undecided to break,” said Woolley. “Lots of these unsure voters will resolve their dilemma by not casting a vote in this particular race.”

The poll finds that Beau Biden is the most popular politician in the state, and is handily beating his challenger Doug Campbell by 40% (65/25). Biden’s favorable/unfavorable is 61/23. Jack Markell is also popular, with a 57% approval rating.

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Comments (10)

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  1. OpenMinded says:

    What, they don’t want to comment on their famous graduate?

  2. Yogie says:

    This poll shows why Democrats must get behind Chip Flowers. If Crazy Bonini wins, then he will be running for governor in a few years. He is just as whacky as O’Donnell, and we do not want him in a statewide office. Get out and support Chip Flowers!

  3. Geezer says:

    It’s actually very good news for Flowers, because he’s tied despite Bonini’s higher name recognition (not MUCH higher, mind you, but definitely a good bit higher among R’s). If you expect Democrats to continue to pick up momentum, tied right now is a good place to be. Now is the time to put his capacity for hard work to the test — it should be possible to outwork Bonini, whose laid-back campaign approach is beatable.

  4. Geezer says:

    “What, they don’t want to comment on their famous graduate?”

    These races were the teaser. They’re holding a news conference tomorrow to announce their findings in the Senate race. Allan Loudell has an interview with F-D’s polling director.

  5. Anon Knows Nothing says:

    Flowers has nothing going, with all the money $200k, he pumped in to the race he should be way ahead and given the Dem advantage he should be a run away but he is a cartoon character at best.

    Markell is popular for doing nothing? And you thought Republican voters were dumb, it look like I’s and D’s are real stupid.

  6. Yogie says:

    Why would anyone want to elect Bonini to handle over a billion dollars when he didn’t even pay his own taxes? He had a tax lien on his house and he nearly went bankrupt…He’s right it is “your money” and I don’t want him to touch it.

  7. MJ says:

    AKN once again (I believe that’s twice today) that you’ve lived up to your name, you don’t know squat. Chip spent the money on his primary, working his ass off to win, while Bonini sat at home and ate bonbons and did very little. Just because your poor Velda lost is no reason to dismiss Chip. VJP was a lousy candidate and that is why she lost.

    And Jack is doing a hell of a job, considering the economy and the budget shortfall he inherited. I suppose you think that Bill Lee (Lite Beer-Rehoboth) would have done a better job? Get real.

    Chip will make a great Treasurer, and he’s already said that he isn’t running for Governor. The Treasurer’s office needs a new perspective, and that is what Chip will bring to the office.

  8. mediawatch says:

    Geezer’s on target. Bonini has had 9-10 months to work the whole electorate while Flowers had to focus exclusively on Dems through the primary. Look at Wagner’s lead — you’d think Bonini would be showing similar numbers. Bonini’s 38 most likely includes all the R’s he’s going to get and some of the independents in the middle. Flowers has barely begun to mine the middle, so he’s got much more room to grow.

  9. I’m with Geezer, this isn’t a great result for Bonini. Bonini should have much higher name recognition as a state senator and have a head start on campaigning in the state.

  10. MJ says:

    Outside of his district and the IRS Auditor’s Office, who even knows who Bonini is? Well, maybe a few teabaggers.