FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2020

CONTACT:
TP Research
John S. Thomas – President
Jennilee Brown – Spokesperson
Tel: (347) 989-7106


LACEY LEADS IN LA DISTRICT ATTORNEY RACE BUT IS VULNERABLE FINDS NEW 
TP RESEARCH/KFI AM 640 POLL

Incumbent Leads Initial Ballot Test But Unlikely To Win A Majority; 
November Runoff Presents An Opportunity For Gascón

Los Angeles, CA – February 26 – Today, TP Research and KFI AM 640 released exclusive results from two polls tracking the race for Los Angeles District Attorney this month.    

59 percent of likely voters are pessimistic about the county’s path signaling the electorate is looking for a change; a warning sign for the incumbent District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

Typically, incumbents test at least at the plurality level when likely voters are asked if that candidate deserves re-election. In this race, the DA has only 18 percent of the electorate’s confidence for re-election. 

67 percent of likely voters in LA county believe it's leadership including the District Attorney have not done enough to combat homelessness and half of voters do not feel safe walking the streets, these statistics providing an opening for a challenger. 

53 percent of voters prefer a candidate who is tough on crime to 22 percent of voters who would choose a candidate who prioritizes police accountability for excessive uses of force, an opportunity for Lacey to frame Gascón as too progressive.

Our initial (uninformed) ballot test on Feb 5-6, 2020 showed 70 percent of voters were uncommitted leaving the incumbent in a highly vulnerable state.  

As the race evolves, the undecided voters dropped to 49 percent, decisively breaking with Lacey but still presenting a challenge to capture over 50 percent +1 votes, leading to a likely runoff.
 

Initial (uninformed) Ballot Test (Feb 5)
Unsure: 70%
Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County District Attorney: 18%
George Gascón, Justice Reform Advocate 7%
Rachel A. Rossi, Public Defender, Federal: 6%

Initial (uninformed) Ballot Test (Feb 19)
Unsure: 49%
Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County District Attorney: 36%
George Gascón, Justice Reform Advocate 9%
Rachel A. Rossi, Public Defender, Federal: 6%


Lacey has a higher level of awareness than her challenger, Gascón, but both began upside down in their favorable ratings among voters who know them. The negative ad campaign against Gascón increased his unfavorable rating by eight points and put Lacey right side up in her approvals. 

Lacey’s Favorability rating

Feb 5-6
Favorable: 19%
Unfavorable: 24%
Never Heard of: 40%
Unsure: 17%

Feb 19
Favorable: 34%
Unfavorable: 20%
Never Heard of: 32%
Unsure: 14%

Gascón’s Favorability rating

Feb 5-6
Favorable: 9%
Unfavorable: 21%
Never Heard of: 56%
Unsure: 13%

Feb 19
Favorable: 13%
Unfavorable: 29%
Never Heard of: 41%
Unsure:17%

EDITORIAL FROM STRATEGIST JOHN THOMAS

While the race has shown movement since we began our tracking polls it’s unlikely Lacey will crack the threshold and prevent this race heading to a runoff. Lacey is clearly vulnerable and in a precarious position. To prevail she has to keep Gascón underwater and build a positive profile for herself. Gascón can recapture this race but will need to deploy significant resources in advertising. 

This survey was paid for by TP Research and not associated with any candidate or committee.

METHODOLOGY - Track 1

On Feb 5, 2020 through Feb 6, 2020, TP Research conducted a survey of 412 likely 2020 Primary Election voters in the County of Los Angeles, California. Mixed mode: 80% IVR Landline/20% live caller with cell phones. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2020 Primary Election. Margin of Error is +/- 5% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding.


METHODOLOGY - Track 2

On Feb 19, 2020, TP Research conducted a survey of 405 likely 2020 Primary Election voters in the County of Los Angeles, California. Mixed mode: 80% IVR Landline/20% live caller with cell phones. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2020 Primary Election. Margin of Error is +/- 5% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding.


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Thomas Partners Research is a national political and corporate polling company founded by John Thomas, CEO of Parent Company Thomas Partners Strategies. For more information please contact: [email protected]

John Thomas is the founder and President of Thomas Partners Strategies, a full service media, strategy and crisis communications firm. He is actively involved in shaping the political landscape across the nation and specializes in strategy consulting and television creation for political campaigns, corporations, ballot measures, non-profits and universities. Integrated with his communications firm is Thomas Partners Research, a political and corporate polling company.