Eisenberger maintains solid lead for mayor
Clark, McHattie tied for 2nd
TORONTO OCTOBER
17th, 2014 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the
Forum Poll™ among 751 Hamilton voters, just more than one third of those
decided and leaning will vote for Fred Eisenberger (37%), compared to about one
quarter or fewer who will vote either for Brad Clark (25%) or Brian McHattie
(22%). About 1-in-6 will vote some other candidate (16%). Factored out of these
findings are one tenth undecided voters (9%).
Awareness up for all candidates, approval down slightly
Fred Eisenberger is known to almost all voters (92%, up from
83% on September 26) and is approved of by 6-in-10 of them (59%), down slightly
from two thirds last month (September 26 - 64%). Brad Clark is known to three
quarters (75%), up from two thirds (68%) and his approval has stayed stable at
one half (50% now, 53% previously). Brian McHattie's awareness has increased
the most (from 57% to 70%) and his approval has remained stable (46% now, 50%
previously).
Low taxes most important issue in this campaign
Keeping taxes low is the leading issue of concern among
voters (26%), followed relatively equally by transit (16%), economic
development (16%) and infrastructure (14%). After that, ethics and transparency
at city hall are important (11%) or something not listed is (15%). Transit is
the most important issue to Clark supporters (30%), followed by low taxes
(20%). For Eisenberger voters, low taxes are paramount (35%), followed by
economic development (22%). McHattie voters are most concerned with transit
(22%) and low taxes (17%).
"The big change
here is that Brian McHattie has caught up with Brad Clark and now shares second
place with him. With less than 10 days to go, however, it looks like this race
is Fred Eisenberger's to lose," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and
founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
