Poll: Ritchie ahead of Aubertine
A Siena poll out today shows Democrat Darrel Aubertine three points behind Republican Patty Ritchie in the state’s 48th Senate District, spanning western St Lawrence County and all of Jefferson and Oswego Counties.
The 48th is one of four districts Siena polled in an attempt to get a clearer picture of the state Senate in 2011. So there’s a lot of good information in here on voter mood.
Some highlights:
Democrats currently control the State Senate by a 32 to 30 majority. Looking at this year’s election, would you prefer to see the Democrats win a larger majority, would you prefer to see the Republicans win control of the Senate, or would you prefer to see the Senate continue to be closely divided between Republicans and Democrats?
Larger majority for Democrats: 20%
Majority for Republicans: 39%
Closely divided: 34%
What is the most important issue you want your State Senator to be working on in Albany?
Creating jobs: 32%
Government reform: 17%
State budget: 13%
State taxes: 10%
Health care: 10%
Property taxes: 9%
Education: 7%
As things stand now, would you vote to re-elect Darrel Aubertine as State Senator or would you prefer someone else?
Aubertine: 45%
Someone else: 44%
If the election for State Senator was held today, who would you vote for if the candidates were:
Aubertine: 45%
Ritchie: 48%
Respondents said they’d prefer Ritchie to Aubertine on every issue pollsters raised. The issues (and margins in parentheses):
Property Taxes (8 points)
State Budget (9 points)
State Taxes (11 points)
Government Ethics Reform (7 points)
Health Care (2 points)
Education (2 points)
Job Creation (3 points)
Representing the issues of our community in Albany (4 points)
Tags: election10
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Aubertine has won I think 5 consecutive elections in this area including one against Ritchie…but he’s a junior senator and, in fairness, hardly a major player in Albany..if he’s trailing I would think it’s mostly a sign of voter discontent with incumbents in general and the Dems who control Albany.
There’s nothing wrong with Darrel. He just belongs to the party of Sheldon Silver and that’s the only thing causing the discontent.
I participated in that survey and tried to answer the “would you prefer Darrel or someone else” with it depends who the someone else is. That wasn’t a choice.
Personally, I thin Ms. Ritchie is in way over her head.
Bret,
I beg to differ. Darrel has been part of a dysfunctional Senate majority. We need change in Albany and we need lawmakers that will stop increasing taxes. Hasn’t Ritchie done a good job as county clerk?
I am surprised to see property tax so far down on the list?
It’s probably just my political leanings coming out but I find it hard to swallow a suggestion that “Albany” was working better during most of the 40 years the GOP controlled the Senate.
I’m no expert, but…
It’s my understanding that Richie hasn’t worked in the private sector for about 25 years. I don’t know if she understands the average joe very well.
It’s also my understanding that the budget for the clerk’s office has increased by several magnatudes on her watch.
How does being a county clerk prepare one for the Senate?
Darrel has gotten abunch of bills passed (not bad for a junior), most with strong bi-partisan support.
He’s got my vote…again.
Scratchy, a great county clerk does not necessarily make and EFFECTIVE Senator. St Law Co ran her against Aubertine several years back instead of Dave Renzi, an overall much stronger candidate. Ritchie cost the Repubs the election, I believe that was when Dede’s area got changed. Ritchies performances in the public speaking area were abysmal. She may be a devout Republican and wonderful person, but we need someone who can stand up in Albany and fight. I don’t see that in her.
Aubertine has at least stood up and countered the downstate Dems a few times. While I would prefer to see a staunch conservative in the seat, if I have to have a Dem Darrel is okay.
Aubertine has done very well in the Senate as far as influence goes. Not that we all agree with what he has done, but we have some prisons’ up here that would not be here if he were not advocating for them. He has also helped family dairy farms from a very poorly written bill concerning farm labor. Also he wil have more influence with the Democrats in power than Patricia Ritchie will.
I think he is a great advocate for our specific interests. I also like Pat Ritchie I just prefer Senator Aubertine and think he will be much better for the North Country.
But anyway he has my vote again also I think he is very effective and really reflects the North Country and our interests and values.
I listened to the extensive interview with the pollster whose expertise would have impressed me more if he knew how to pronounce Aubertine’s name
He mispronounced Darrel?
It’s spelled D-A-R-R-E-L but it’s pronounced throat warbler mangrove.
THe very bottom line is we can’t let NYC continue to run the show in the Albany. NYC politicians and their special interest backers push policies that hurt this region. In any event, I am disappointed in Darrel’s record on taxes and spending and disappointed in his social issues record.
Senator Aubertine has a solid record of achievement in the Senate particularly for being a new Senator. He has helped this region greatly and very directly on a variety of issues that impact us. I don’t think we have ever had a person that has saved as many jobs as he has.
Merv, that’s a big exaggeration. Guys like Ron Stafford and whats his name that Darrel took his place did a whole lot more than Darrel has.
Darrel hasn’t been in office for as long as what’s-his-name.