Hirono Campaign Pollster Claims Debate Performance Favors Hirono

News Release from Hirono Campaign October 19, 2012

HONOLULU, HI – The campaign of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Mazie Hirono released the results of its most recent internal tracking poll conducted by Benenson Strategy Group in early October. The poll shows Congresswoman Mazie Hirono leading by 56-38 among likely general election voters over former Governor Linda Lingle - a strong 18-point lead.

The poll also reveals that voters, by a 2-to-1 margin, hold favorable views of Hirono (62% favorable, 33% unfavorable), while nearly as many voters hold negative views of Lingle (47%) as hold positive views (49%).

These poll numbers are consistent with the internal poll results from September, which revealed that Hirono had a 17-point lead over Republican Linda Lingle.

The poll was conducted from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11 among 500 likely 2012 general election voters in Hawaii by live caller.

Click here to see polling memo for more information and details.

(From the polling memo, this gem….)

October 8th Debate Made More Voters Likely to Vote For Hirono

We fielded this poll right after the KHON candidate debate, which was televised statewide. Lingle failed to make significant progress in the wake of the debate, and just 38% of voters who saw the debate said it made them more likely to vote for Lingle, whereas 41% said it made them more likely to vote for Hirono, and 22% said it had no impact (which is a win for Hirono since she holds a lead on the ballot and Lingle is the one who needs to gain ground).

(Asked of those who say they saw or heard the debate) Did what you saw in the debate or have heard about it make you much more likely to vote for Hirono, somewhat more likely to vote for Hirono, somewhat more likely to vote for Lingle, or much more likely to vote for Lingle?

All Difference +3

Much/Somewhat More Likely to Vote for Hirono 41

Much/Somewhat More Likely to Vote for Lingle 38

No Difference/Don’t Know 22

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October 8: Lingle Was the Clear Winner

October 9: Debate: Lingle Prepared with Powerful Response to Hirono

October 10: Energized by Debate Performance, 500 Rally for Lingle in Ewa

October 4: 54-37% -- Hirono Pollster Releases Internal Polling Numbers (Same pollster)