New WISH-TV poll finds Long Thompson best positioned to defeat Daniels

Long Thompson Leads the Democratic field; Daniels’ Reelect at 39 Percent

ARGOS, IN - A new WISH-TV (Channel 8 Indianapolis) poll released today shows former Congresswoman and Under Secretary of Agriculture Jill Long Thompson running strong statewide in her campaign for Governor.  Long Thompson said the poll shows her message of new leadership and change is hitting a responsive chord with Hoosiers.

The independent poll (http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7099910), which surveyed 800 Hoosiers from September 10 through September 14, found Long Thompson in the strongest position to defeat Governor Mitch Daniels in 2008.

According to the poll, 41 percent of Democratic primary voters polled indicated support for Long Thompson, 16 percent favored State Senator Richard Young, Jr. while 10 percent chose Indianapolis architect Jim Schellinger.

In a match-up with Governor Mitch Daniels, the poll found that Long Thompson, who launched her campaign just 10 weeks ago, was within eight percentage points (Daniels 46, Long Thompson 38).  Most alarmingly for Daniels is that only 39 percent of Hoosiers say that he deserves to be reelected.   

"We are pleased with the results of this latest poll," said Long Thompson. "It is just further confirmation of what I've been hearing as I visit communities across this state. Hoosiers want change and are looking for a new direction - and they want an experienced voice who knows how to produce results."

Former Democratic State Chair Ann DeLaney said the poll is further evidence that Jill Long Thompson provides Democrats with their best chance of defeating Mitch Daniels. 

"This poll underscores that Jill Long Thompson is by far the strongest candidate in the field and gives Democrats their best opportunity to win in November 2008," DeLaney said. "Her early opposition to privatizing the Indiana Toll Road and her call for comprehensive tax reform that is fair and equal are clearly resonating with Hoosier voters."

Long Thompson added, "We won't take any vote for granted and know the poll numbers will tighten as we get closer to the election.  But as our campaign continues to grow and as we spread our message to more and more Hoosiers, I am confident that we will be in the best position to defeat Mitch Daniels next year and get Indiana back on track."

The WISH-TV survey is the second poll to show Long Thompson's strong appeal across Indiana.   In early August, the Long Thompson campaign released a poll which showed Long Thompson significantly leading her Democratic rivals and indicated Long Thompson's support increases greatly as voters learn more about her background, experience, and ideas to get Indiana moving in the right direction.

Jill Long Thompson represented Northeast Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives serving from 1989 to 1995. She also served as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development from 1995 to 2001. Long Thompson most recently served as CEO of The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy. She received her B.S. in Business from Valparaiso University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Business from Indiana University. Jill Long Thompson and her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, live on a farm in Marshall County.

For more information on Jill Long Thompson, please visit http://www.hoosiersforjill.com/.

 Source: Hoosiers for Jill Press Release

Technorati Tags: News Governor Mitch Daniels Indiana Politics Jill Long Thompson Mitch Daniels Politics