There’s a new leader in Saskatoon’s mayoral race.
Kelley Moore took over the top spot in the latest Mainstreet/Postmedia poll with 27 per cent support. Don Atchison dropped out of the lead for the first time at 25 per cent, while Charlie Clark stayed steady at 23 per cent and Devon Hein pulled in 4 per cent.
The poll was conducted on Oct. 4 after the public had a chance to see the candidates in the Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum on Sept. 28, hear the CBC roundtable Monday morning, and listen to Charlie Clark on 650 CKOM’s Candidate’s Row. It was also the day after former candidate Tom Wolf endorsed Moore.
The numbers suggest momentum for her campaign, as she gained five percentage points compared to the Sept. 27 survey, moving from third to first. Since July she has gained 12 per cent support.
“Though these are positive numbers for Moore the true test is if she can continue to grow them and build a real margin – and withstand what are sure to be new attacks and scrutiny,” David Valentin, executive vice-president of Mainstreet Research said in a statement.
While she’s been trending up, Atchison’s numbers have slipped since polling began. He initially sat at 29 per cent, but fell to 26 per cent in the Sept. 27 poll and dropped another point this week.
Hein’s numbers have benefitted as well, rising three per cent since Sept. 27, the day after he filed his nomination papers.
SASKATONIANS JUMPING OFF THE FENCE
As election day nears, more people are leaning towards a certain candidate as well.
The number of undecided voters fell seven per cent from 28 to 21 since the last poll. But Valentin says the support for each candidate is “relatively soft.”
“There’s still a lot of room for movement,” he said. “It is still far too early to predict a winner.”
Election day is on Oct. 26.
Candidate’s Row on 650 CKOM will conclude tonight as Brent Loucks hosts Devon Hein. Episodes with Charlie Clark, Kelley Moore, and Don Atchison can be accessed by clicking their names.