FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2009

Media Contact:

Anna Ruth Williams

205-322-9096

DAVIS HOLDS CLEAR LEAD ON DEMOCRATIC RIVALS; STRONG SUPPORT ACROSS RACIAL LINES GIVE DAVIS 2-1 LEADS OVER DEMOCRATS AND 5 POINT LEAD OVER LEADING REPUBLICAN BRADLEY BYRNE

In a survey of 600 Democratic primary voters conducted by Anzalone-Liszt Research from May 5 to 9, 2009, Congressman Artur Davis (D-Bham) holds a clear edge over all of his potential rivals in the 2010 gubernatorial primary. In prospective head-to-head matchups against each of his potential Democratic rivals, Davis holds decisive leads: against Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, Davis leads 56 to 26 percent; against Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, Davis’ edge was 54 to 25 percent. 

In each prospective matchup, Davis shows overwhelming strength among black voters (who were 46 percent of the sample) and strong support among white Democratic voters, as well. Davis split the white vote with Cobb, 37 to 38 percent, while he wins the black vote 74 to 11 percent. In a match with Sparks, Davis led 77 to 9 percent among blacks, while narrowly trailing with whites 37 to 41 percent.

Davis’ across the board popularity yields him a total favorable to unfavorable ratio of 59 to 6 percent among Democratic primary voters, the strongest popularity ratio of any potential Democratic candidate. In the 22 county Birmingham media market, the largest voter share in the primary, 72 percent of Democratic voters hold a favorable opinion of Davis while 83 percent of the Democratic voters in that market approve of the job he is doing in Congress. 

In a separate sample of 600 general election voters conducted during the same time frame, Davis has opened up a five point lead over the likely Republican front-runner, Two-year College Chancellor Bradley Byrne. Byrne, who is expected to announce his candidacy for governor next week, trails Davis 38 to 43 percent. Davis leads Byrne by double digits in the Birmingham and Montgomery media markets, and holds a narrow 5 point edge in the Huntsville media market.  White Democrats support Davis over Byrne by an 81 to 5 percent margin, while independents break for Davis by three points.

In separate findings in the survey, President Obama’s popularity statewide has risen to far higher levels than his showing in the 2008 election in Alabama.  Fifty-eight percent of voters approve of his performance, including 46 percent of white voters.  In addition, 87 percent of white Democrats and 57 percent of independents approve of Obama’s performance.

Davis spokesperson Anna Ruth Williams stated, “While Artur Davis may not be the preferred candidate with political insiders at the state capitol, it is clear that his message of strengthening our economy and cleaning up state government is catching on with voters around the state.  At this stage, Congressman Davis is in a very strong position in the primary and general elections against his leading Democratic and Republican rivals.”

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