The poll showed Jim Patterson and State Senator Jeff Denham in a virtual tie. Patterson had 26-percent of the support among those polled while Denham has 25-percent. Richard Pombo received 13-percent while Larry Westerlund had seven-percent.
In the June primary GOP voters will decide between the four candidates in a race to replace Congressman George Radanovich, who is stepping down after 15 years in office.
Republicans are staging a very competitive battle. There are signs some candidates are beginning to separate themselves from a crowded field.
Former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson had a 26-percent show of support in the exclusive Action News poll conducted by Survey-USA. Patterson said, "I'm really pleased that we have the kind of response that we have because we have had a grass roots campaign and a people campaign and we have not spent money like the other candidates have."
Patterson's in a virtual tie with State Senator Jeff Denham of Merced. Denham has been endorsed by Congressman Radanovich. He enjoys high name recognition. Denham explained, "People have seen me from everything from when they tried to recall me to working hard in my district. I'm going to keep up that same type of high-profile campaigning."
Those polled gave former Tracy Congressman Richard Pombo 13-percent of their support. But Pombo points to the 29-percent of voters polled who are undecided. Pombo said, "They have their base and who they're going after. Obviously I'm in a position to take not only a big part of the undecided but some of those who early on have answered one way or another."
Fresno City Councilman Larry Westerlund received just seven-percent of the poll support but Westerlund is not discouraged because he says it's still very early in the game.
Westerlund said, "I'm the only person in the race who's ever carried a badge. I'm the only person that's still connected to the military and have done my recent duty. I think when that message gets out that's going to have a significant impact."
His current poll numbers may be low but Westerlund wanted to remind people of the last Fresno mayoral campaign.
Current Mayor Ashley Swearengin overcame a double-digit deficit to win the election over Henry Perea.
