Dold, Schneider Polls Tell Different Story

Polls taken two days apart gauging the race between Democratic challenger Brad Schneider of Deerfield and Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) show a very different snapshot of the 10th Congressional District race.

A survey completed Oct. 12 by the Dold campaign shows the North Shore Congressman with a 10 point lead while a poll taken Oct. 14 by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) indicates a statistical tie with Schneider leading by 1 percent.

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Dold’s poll of 400 likely voters conducted by live telephone interviews Oct. 11 and 12 shows him with support of 46 percent of those questioned while Schneider would get the votes of 36 percent. There is a margin of error of 4.9 percent.

Schneider would receive 44 percent of the vote in the DCCC survey with Dold getting 43 percent of 451 likely voters in a digitized poll conducted Oct. 14 with a margin of error of 4.6 percent.

The two polls also show a different picture of the candidates’ favorable and unfavorable ratings. Dold’s survey shows 44 percent of those questioned have a positive opinion of him while 34 percent view him unfavorably. The same data gives Schneider a 30 percent favorable view and 26 percent have an unfavorable impression.

In the DCCC ratings, Dold is viewed unfavorably by 46 percent of respondents while 42 percent have a positive impression. Schneider got a good rating from 35 percent while 28 percent view him unfavorably.

“This latest poll confirms two things we've known for a while: that this race will be neck-and-neck to the end and that Brad's momentum continues to steadily grow,” Schneider Press Secretary Staci McCabe said. “The people are clearly tired of the partisan gridlock."

Dold spokesperson John McGovern takes a different view. He sees campaigns’ research as an indication Dold’s message is being communicated to voters in the District.

“The strong support we're receiving from across the 10th District reflects voters' desire for thoughtful, independent-minded leadership and their appreciation for Congressman Dold’s focus on leadership and results, not partisan politics," McGovern said.

The DCCC survey also showed President Barack Obama favored by 54 percent of 10th District voters while the Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, has 42 percent support.

Patch obtained all of its information from the DCCC and the Dold campaign and did not have access to detailed information on either poll.