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MEMORANDUM
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: WILSON PERKINS ALLEN OPINION RESEARCH
SUBJECT: STATE OF RACE IN INDIANA’S 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2012
This memo summarizes key findings from a poll of 302 likely Republican primary voters in
Indiana’s 6th Congressional District conducted February 2-3, 2012. The survey was
conducted on behalf of the Bates for Congress Campaign.
Key Findings
The race for the Republican nomination to Congress for the 6th Congressional District
in Indiana is wide open.
A majority of likely Republican primary voters do not have an opinion (or have
never heard of) the potential Republican candidates for Congress. The first
candidate to define himself and his opponents will have a significant
advantage in this race.
Nearly three-quarters of likely Republican primary voters (72%) have
never heard of Don Bates, Jr. giving Bates an opportunity to set the
narrative of his campaign.
Don Bates, Jr. needs to have the resources to get his message in
front of the voters before his potential opponents have the
opportunity to direct the dynamics of the race.
The ballot test further confirms that the race is wide-open with a
majority of respondents (51%) saying they are undecided.
In a wide open race with largely unknown candidates it is vital that Don Bates, Jr. get
his message in front of the voters first.
o
After hearing a short biographical description of Don Bates, Jr., likely
Republican primary voters prefer him two-to-one over any of the other
candidates in the field.
•
Total Bates 31%
•
Total Frazier 2%
•
Total Hankins 15%
•
Total Hatter 1%
•
Total Messer 13%
•
Total Smith <1%
•
Total Phipps 3%
•
Total Undecided 36%
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o
When asked what they liked most about Don Bates, Jr.’s biography and goals
the highest responses were repealing Obamacare (28%), continuing the
conservative tradition forged by David McIntosh and Mike Pence (22%), and
promoting smaller government (18%).
•
It is clear that likely Republican primary voters are looking for the true
conservative candidate in the 6th Congressional District.
•
Don Bates, Jr. has the conservative credentials that resonate with the
voters that can position him as the true Conservative and propel him
to a victory in the Republican primary.
Conclusion
The race for the Republican nomination in Indiana’s 6th Congressional District is wide open
and Don Bates, Jr. is at a critical position if he is to be the Republican nominee. He and his
potential Republican opponents are relatively unknown among likely Republican primary
voters giving the candidate with the opportunity to put their argument in front of the voters
first a key advantage to winning the nomination. Don Bates, Jr. can seize that advantage if
he has the resources to speak first.
Likely Republican primary voters in the 6th Congressional District are looking for a true
conservative. Don Bates, Jr. has the conservative credentials and the arguments that
resonate with likely Republican primary voters. It is critical that Don Bates, Jr. has a well-
financed campaign with aggressive direct voter contact to introduce himself to the voters
before his opponents do it for him.
About Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research
Since 1998, WPA Opinion Research has been a leading provider of political polling for
campaigns from Mayor and City Council to Governor, U.S. Senate and President in all 50
states and over 30 foreign countries. In 2009-2010 alone, WPA conducted polling in over
200 races for campaigns, caucuses and independent expenditures efforts.
In addition to our political and policy research, WPA Opinion Research provides donor
research to Christian and other not-for-profit organizations and alumni research to colleges
and universities. More than 200 Christian and other not-for-profit organizations around the
country and dozens of large and small colleges and universities have relied on WPA’s data
and analysis.
WPA’s corporate research arm has provided market research to more than 100 of the
Fortune 500 and to hundreds of small and medium businesses nationwide.
Confidential
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