New poll shows Fresno mayoral race tightening
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The latest exclusive Action News poll conducted by Survey-USA revealed the Fresno mayoral race was tightening.
The new poll showed Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea enjoyed a 36% to 24% lead over Fresno City Councilmember Lee Brand. H Spees was third with 13%. Doug Vagim has 6%. Richard Renteria 3%. 18% of those polled were undecided.
The poll came on a day H Spees announced a new proposal to raise funds for public safety. Spees was joined by former mayor Alan Autry and education leaders at City Hall.
Spees explained, "Safety for cities without raising taxes - that's what the 955 plan is all about."
Spees said his plan would allow the state to collect 95% of our income tax but leave 5% with local governments.
Spees was not deterred by his third place showing in the Action News poll. He said, "I think what's happening now in the process of the campaign is differentiation is taking place."
Campaign rivals like Lee Brand dismissed the plan, calling it a pipe dream. After learning he has cut Henry Perea's lead in our poll from 19 to 12 percentage points, Brand felt he now has the momentum.
Brand said, "We expected as time went by, as we told our message and we really haven't even started the advertising campaign, our sources say we will get closer and closer and by June 7th we think we can possibly win the primary."
Perea saw the scenario much differently. Perea believed his solid hold on the top spot showed he is capable of winning the race outright in June with a 50% plus one result.
Perea said, "Our campaign is strong. It tells us our message is strong and as we move forward we're going to just put everything that we need to win it in June so that's what our strategy is right now. I think the numbers are showing that we are headed in that direction."
Poll results also showed Brand within 5 points of Perea among voters 65-and-over.
Survey-USA said the younger the primary electorate, the better Perea will perform in the June primary.
