BREAKING: Schatz jumps out to a fifteen point lead over Hanabusa in new HI Sen Poll

Hawaii Democrats respond favorably to Schatz’s support for Social Security expansion

News Release from Democracy for America May 12, 2014

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Democratic Senator Brian Schatz is beating Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa by 15 percentage points in Hawaii's 2014 Senate Democratic primary in polling, released today, conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP) on behalf of Democracy for America. This is the first public poll of the race since President Barack Obama endorsed Schatz for re-election onMarch 31. Previous polling, done before the president’s endorsement, showed a dead heat between Schatz and Hanabusa.

See the polling results below.

In addition to showing Schatz besting Hanabusa electorally, the new polling shows that 42% of likely Hawaii Democratic primary voters are more likely to vote for Schatz due to his strong support for Social Security expansion. In contrast, Hanabusa’s support of the recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles commission, which proposed cuts to Social Security benefits, made respondents 52% less likely to vote for her.

Hawaii Democrats also responded favorably to Schatz’s strong support for raising the minimum wage, with 43% of likely Hawaii Democratic primary voters saying they are more likely to support him because of that position. Alongside Schatz’s support of Social Security expansion, the Senator’s embrace of economic populism could prove to be the decisive issue in the Aloha State's Senate race. Democracy for America endorsed Schatz in February 2014.

Schatz has a strong approval rating with likely Hawaii Democratic primary voters, with 55% approving and just 22% disapproving of the way he's handling his job as Senator.

Quote, if helpful:

"Hawaii Democrats are fired up about Brian Schatz and his strong support for expanding Social Security and raising the minimum wage. Senator Schatz is proving that fighting for economic populism that builds the middle class is a winning strategy for Democrats. These results are a forceful rebuke to those Democrats who supported cuts to Social Security, sending a clear message that Hawaii wants a Senator willing to go to Washington and fight against income inequality every day." -- Charles Chamberlain, Executive Director, Democracy for America

Polling

NEW Hawaii Senate Democratic primary polling via Public Policy Polling (PPP) on behalf of Democracy for America (May 9-11, 2014):

(606 likely Hawaii Democratic primary voters, +/- 4.0% MOE)

If the election for U.S. Senate were held today, and the choices were Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa, for whom would you vote?

Brian Schatz ................................................... 49%

Colleen Hanabusa .......................................... 34%

Undecided....................................................... 17%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Democrat Brian Schatz is handling his job as a U.S. Senator?

Approve .......................................................... 55%

Disapprove...................................................... 22%

No opinion....................................................... 23%

Democratic U.S. Senator Brian Schatz co-sponsored legislation that would increase Social Security benefits, resulting in a worker at age 75 receiving $452 more in benefits per year and a worker at age 85 receiving $807 more per year. Does this make you more likely or less likely to support re-electing Brian Schatz to the U.S. Senate, or does it not make a difference?

More likely....................................................... 42%

Less likely ....................................................... 16%

Doesn't make a difference .............................. 42%

Colleen Hanabusa has voted in support of the recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles commission, which proposed cuts to Social Security benefits, including raising the Social Security retirement age. Does this make you more likely or less likely to support Colleen Hanabusa for the U.S. Senate, or does it not make any difference?

More likely....................................................... 16%

Less likely ....................................................... 52%

Doesn't make a difference .............................. 32%

Brian Schatz has voted to raise the minimum wage four times as a state legislator, and supports raising the federal minimum wage. Does this make you more likely or less likely to support re-electing Brian Schatz to the U.S. Senate, or does it not make any difference?

More likely....................................................... 43%

Less likely ....................................................... 25%

Doesn't make a difference .............................. 32%