SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – October 13, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – The race for Salt Lake City mayor will come to a close in just three weeks, but right now a poll says it’s way to close to tell who will come out on top.
In a poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates October 5-10 and posted on UtahPolicy.com, 588 registered voters in Salt Lake City were polled. In that poll, current Mayor Ralph Becker edged out challenger Jackie Biskupski 43 percent to 37 percent, leaving 17 percent undecided and 3 percent voting for another candidate.
The tables turned slightly, however, when 588 of those who voted in the primaries and are most likely to vote on November 3, were polled. In that poll, Biskupski leads 45 percent to Becker’s 43 percent, leaving 9 percent undecided and 3 percent voting for another candidate.
In August, Biskupski surprised Becker when she won the primary elections by more than 4,000 votes. That’s a 15 percent advantage over the current mayor.
But Becker wasn’t about to go down without a fight. With his latest television ads and the recent backing of Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, the race eventually leveled itself out. In a statement made to UtahPolicy.com Becker said he feels very comfortable having voters look closely at the two candidates side by side. “What this tells me is as voters are focusing in on their choice, they’re moving in my direction, and I am going to campaign hard and put my best foot forward,” said Becker.
Maryann Martindale, spokesperson for the campaign, released the following statement Tuesday morning: “We are not surprised by the results of the Utah Policy poll considering their pre-primary poll showed essentially the same results yet we went on to win the primary by 15 points.
“Our own internal polls both before the primary and now show what we’ve known all along. The residents of Salt Lake City are ready for a change and they are supporting the vision and leadership of Jackie Biskupski.
“The Becker campaign came into this race with a $300,000 advantage, money they’re able to spend on television advertising, yet, according to this poll, they’re still trying to catch up to our momentum. We’re launching our own television ads this week and we are confident that coupled with the work of our dedicated volunteers, staff, and supporters, undecided voters will embrace Jackie’s vision for change.
“Salt Lake City residents are ready for a strong, collaborative leader who will listen to residents and implement sustainable solutions to our homelessness crisis, poor air quality and the need for economic development in ALL of our neighborhoods. That leader is Jackie Biskupski.”
Dan Jones, who has polled Utahns for more than 55 years, said in a statement that this is one of the closest races he has ever seen. “Combined with evaluating the data in myriad different ways, I believe if the election were today, Jackie Biskupski would win by three to four percentage points,” said Jones.
Jones also said the deciding factor is going to come down to voters making their way to the polls November 3, and actually voting for who they feel will to the best job for the city.
Another TV debate, hosted by Doug Wright, is scheduled this Wednesday at noon where the community will be given the chance to ask their questions and have their concerns addressed.
The two also will square off October 28 in a debate sponsored by The Salt Lake Tribune at the Salt Lake City Library, 210 East 400 South, at 7 p.m.
