McSally ahead by 1-point while Ducey cruising by 19 points in HighGround’s latest statewide survey
PHOENIX (October 29, 2018) – With only a few days left until the recommended deadline to mail in ballots, the top two candidates in the race for the United States Senate are locked in a dead heat with only one point separating them. The latest survey from HighGround Public Affairs shows Congresswoman Martha McSally with a slight lead over Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema.
Q. If the election for United States Senate were held today, would you vote for [Rotate] Republican Martha McSally, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, Green Candidate Angela Green?
46.5% Martha McSally
45.3% Kyrsten Sinema
3.5% Angela Green
4.8% Don’t know, Refused
The N=400 survey was conducted among likely voters 10/26 through 10/28. It was a statewide live caller survey calling both landlines and cell phones. The margin of error is ±4.9%. The partisan advantage was set at +10% GOP based on the current trend in ballot returns. As of today, GOP advantage in Early Ballot returns is 10.6% with 986k ballots returned according to Garrett Archer from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office.
McSally held a strong lead among Republican respondents with 88.4% of the vote. She also held strong leads among very conservatives (94.0%), somewhat conservative (65.6%) and voters 65+ (57.0%) who are overperforming in the current ballot returns. For the moment, immigration has surpassed education as the top issue facing the state which has likely bolstered McSally’s performance based on her strongly articulated positions on border security.
On the other hand, Sinema held strong leads among Democrats with 88.6% of the vote and very liberal (94.7%) and somewhat liberal (85.3%). She also has a strong lead with younger voters 29 and under (55.0%) – though their turnout so far has been lower than expected.
The race now appears hinged on who can make a final successful push among Females and Independent and unaffiliated voters. The two candidates have split support among the two audiences. Sinema has a 6-point lead among all female voters right now. McSally and Sinema are virtually split among Independent and unaffiliated males (43.6% to 40.0% respectively). However, McSally trails Sinema significantly among independent and unaffiliated females (12.2% to 61.0% respectively).
“Ultimately, the Senate race is well within the margin and likely won’t be decided on Tuesday night. This election will come down to voter turnout and every ballot cast or dropped off on Election Day,” said Paul Bentz, Sr. Vice President of Research and Strategy at HighGround, Inc., “We have said all along that this race will be decided by female voters and Independent and unaffiliated voters. Depending on who decides to show up, it will likely make the difference in this race.”
On the other hand, bolstered by an upward trend in the direction of the state and a faltering campaign by his opponent, Governor Ducey appears to be cruising to victory with a 19-point lead over Democratic Challenger David Garcia.
Q. If the election for Arizona Governor were held today, would you vote for [Rotate] Republican Doug Ducey, Democrat David Garcia, or Green Candidate Angel Torres?
54.8% Doug Ducey
35.3% David Garcia
3.5% Angel Torres
6.5% Don’t know, Refused
Ducey holds commanding leads among Republican voters 89.5% as well as garnering an 11.5% lead among Independent and unaffiliated voters. His backing of Proposition 123 and his 20% teacher raise appeared to help him maintain credibility and deflect his opponent’s attacks on education. Ducey holds leads among male voters (57.3% to 31.3%) as well as female voters (52.4% to 38.9%) Garcia holds significant leads in Democrats with 75.0%, but still nearly 14 points lower than Sinema. He also has garnered support from the Very Liberal (89.5%) and the Somewhat Liberal (73.5%) but has failed to gain as much the crossover appeal he experienced in his previous race for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Bentz concluded, “The Garcia and Sinema races are posed to go down as the textbook ‘good idea/bad idea’ examples for how a Democrat should run a statewide election in the State of Arizona. It was impossible for Garcia to survive his swing to the far left to try to motivate a higher progressive turnout. Meanwhile, Sinema has masterfully crafted a shift in her persona (without having to articulate very many positions) that heretofore has put her in a position to win. She has come under attack the past few weeks for that very lack of substance, but she still has a shot – depending on turnout. The Garcia campaign, on the other hand, has very little hope with just a week left before Election Day.”
About the Survey
The poll surveyed 400 likely Arizona 2018 General Election voters who have a history of electoral participation and was balanced to model the likely turnout of voters across party, age, region, and gender. The live interview survey of voters was conducted by HighGround Public Affairs to both landline and cell phone users. The partisan advantage was set at +10% GOP based on the current trend in ballot returns. The margin of error is ±4.9%.
Q. In general, would you say that the State of Arizona is heading in the right direction, or the wrong direction? [Right/Wrong]
21.0% Definitely right direction
29.8% Probably right direction
13.0% Probably wrong direction
14.3% Definitely wrong direction
22.0% Don’t Know, Refused
Q. What do you consider to be the top issue facing the State of Arizona today? [Randomize]
38.3% Immigration and Border Issues
34.8% Education
9.0% Healthcare
6.5% Jobs and the Economy
3.0% State Budget
2.8% Other
2.5% Don’t Know, Refused
1.8% Taxes
1.5% Transportation
Q. If the election for United States Senate were held today, would you vote for [Rotate] Republican Martha McSally, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, Green Candidate Angela Green?
46.5% Martha McSally
45.3% Kyrsten Sinema
3.5% Angela Green
4.8% Don’t know, Refused
Q. If the election for Arizona Governor were held today, would you vote for [Rotate] Republican Doug Ducey, Democrat David Garcia, or Green Candidate Angel Torres?
54.8% Doug Ducey
35.3% David Garcia
3.5% Angel Torres
6.5% Don’t know, Refused
The HighGround team has built a reputation of reliable and accurate polling over the past ten years – our research has been featured on Nate Silver’s 538, Real Clear Politics, Huffington Post, and many other publications. HighGround “nailed” the Prop 123 election results within 0.2% of the outcome prior to the May 2016 Special election. Visit our website to learn more about HighGround’s polling experience.
