New York State Campaign for Comptroller 2006

Mired in Controversy…Hevesi’s Lead Plummets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All references must be sourced WNBC/Marist Poll

 

Contact:          Dr. Lee M. Miringoff

Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho

Marist College

845.575.5050

This WNBC/Marist Poll of New York State reports:

·                  Embattled New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi’s 40 percentage point lead plummets to 12 percentage points among likely voters:  After a week of controversy over the  use of a member of his staff as a driver for his wife, Alan Hevesi receives the support of just 50% of New Yorkers likely to vote on Election Day compared with 38% for his Republican opponent Christopher Callaghan.  12% of likely voters are undecided.  Just one week ago, Hevesi handily outmatched Callaghan with the support of 62% to 22%.

 

Question Wording: If the November election for comptroller of New York State were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are:

 

 

 

Christopher Callaghan Republican

Alan Hevesi

Democrat

 

Undecided

Likely Voters

 

 

 

October 27, 2006

38%

50%

12%

October 20, 2006

22%

62%

16%

Registered Voters

 

 

 

October 27, 2006

37%

50%

13%

October 20, 2006

25%

57%

18%

September 28, 2006

27%

57%

16%

September 8, 2006

28%

57%

15%

August 2006

27%

60%

13%

July 2006

28%

57%

15%

 

Question Wording: Would you say that you strongly support (candidate’s name) somewhat support him, or do you think that you might vote differently on Election Day?

 

 

Likely Voters

Strongly Support

Somewhat Support

Might Vote Differently

 

Unsure

 October 27, 2006

42%

40%

16%

  2%

 October 20, 2006

45%

42%

12%

  1%

Callaghan supporters

 

 

 

 

 October 27, 2006

38%

43%

17%

  2%

 October 20, 2006

49%

34%

16%

  1%

Hevesi supporters

 

 

 

 

 October 27, 2006

45%

38%

15%

  2%

 October 20, 2006

44%

45%

10%

  1%

 

·                  The withdrawal of Spitzer’s endorsement may be another blow to Hevesi’s re-election effort:  When voters are told that New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has withdrawn his endorsement of Alan Hevesi, the race for comptroller becomes a dead heat.  Hevesi receives the support of 44% of likely voters and Callaghan receives the support of 43%.  13% of likely voters are undecided.

 

Question Wording: New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has withdrawn his endorsement of Alan Hevesi. If the November election for comptroller of New York State were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are:

 

 

When told of Spitzer’s decision

Christopher Callaghan Republican

Alan Hevesi

Democrat

 

Undecided

Likely Voters

43%

44%

13%

Registered Voters

44%

44%

12%

 

·                  Most voters are aware of the controversy facing Alan Hevesi, and most think he either did something unethical or illegal:  77% of registered voters in New York State say they have heard or read something about the misuse of staff time by Comptroller Hevesi.  In addition, 47% believe he has done something unethical, and 31% think he broke the law.

 

Question Wording: Question Wording: Have you heard or read anything about New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi using public funds to have a member of his staff as a driver for his wife?

 

 

Registered Voters

Aware of Controversy

 

Not Aware

 

Unsure

October 27, 2006

77%

23%

<1%

September 28, 2006

39%

60%

  1%

 

Question Wording: Do you think Alan Hevesi did nothing wrong, did something unethical but not illegal, or do you think he did something illegal?

 

 

Registered voters

Did Nothing

Wrong

Did Something Unethical

Did Something Illegal

 

Unsure

October 27, 2006

  8%

47%

31%

14%

October 20, 2006

  6%

51%

38%

  5%

September 28, 2006

18%

30%

22%

30%

 

·                  Although a majority of voters are troubled by Hevesi’s actions, many do not want him to resign from office:  55% of registered voters are troubled by Hevesi’s admission of his misuse of public funds, but 58% do not want him to resign from office.

 

Question Wording: Does it bother you a great deal, a good amount, not very much, or not at all, that Alan Hevesi as New York State comptroller is involved in something like this?

 

 

 

Registered Voters

A Great Deal/Good Amount

 

A Great Deal

 

A Good Amount

 

Not Very Much

 

Not At All

 

 

Unsure

October 27, 2006

55%

30%

25%

24%

17%

  4%

September 28, 2006

37%

24%

13%

25%

26%

12%

 

Question Wording: Do you think Alan Hevesi should resign as New York State comptroller, or not?

 

Registered Voters

Should Resign

Should Not Resign

Unsure

October 27, 2006

33%

58%

  9%

 

·                  Many voters oppose formal proceedings to remove Hevesi as comptroller:  61% of registered voters think Governor Pataki should not ask the New York State Senate to begin the process of removing Alan Hevesi from office.  30% believe the governor should take action, and 9% are unsure. 

 

Question Wording: Do you think Governor Pataki should or should not ask the New York State Senate to begin proceedings to remove Alan Hevesi as comptroller of New York State?

 

 

Registered Voters

Should Ask to Begin Removal

Should Not Ask to Begin Removal

 

Unsure

October 27, 2006

30%

61%

  9%

 

Nature of the Sample:  731 New York State Registered Voters

This survey of 731 New York State registered voters was conducted on October 26th, 2006.  Registered voters were interviewed by telephone in proportion to the voter registration in each county in New York State and adjusted for turnout in statewide elections.  Results are statistically significant at ±4%.  There are 509 likely voters.  Results for this subgroup are statistically significant at ±4.5%. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations.