Macomb Today

Chief James Craig for Governor issued the following announcement on Feb. 25.

A new poll shows Republican former Police Chief James Craig continues to be the front runner of 13 candidates; Reported in a poll of 539 conducted on February 17, 18, and 19th by MIRS.

“This poll demonstrates that our message of providing strong leadership is working,” said Chief James Craig. “Republican voters want someone they can trust and a candidate that will defeat Gretchen Whitmer in November.”

Chief James Craig Holds Wide Lead; GOP Still Very Loyal To Trump

In the Republican race for the right to confront Gov. Gretchen WHITMER  this fall, former Detroit Police Chief James CRAIG continues to be the front-runner in a field of 13 candidates.

That’s coming from a Feb. 17-19 poll of 539 likely Republican voters commissioned by MIRS and conducted by Mitchell Research and Communications.

The poll found a 37% plurality of voters are undecided. Craig is holding 32% of the vote, followed by Kalamazoo-area chiropractor Garrett SOLDANO with 10%.  Despite spending $1.5 million on a TV buy that included a statewide Super Bowl ad, quality control expert Perry JOHNSON is at 3% with former auto dealer Kevin RINKE at 5%. Tudor DIXON and Ryan KELLY are both at 4%. Capt. Mike BROWN and “Someone else” is at 3%.

Johnson’s ad buy was about 25% complete at the time of the poll.

After a brief bio is read for the five perceived most likely successful candidates – based on their ability to raise at least $500,000 — Craig is at 34%, undecided 30%, Soldano 12%, Dixon 11%, Rinke 7%, Johnson 4% and someone else at 3%. The poll also found 83% of likely Republican voters are undecided on the three Attorney General candidates. Tom LEONARD is at 9%, Matt DePERNO at 5% and Rep. Ryan BERMAN (R-Commerce Twp.) at 3%.

For Secretary of State, 85% are undecided. Kristina KARAMO is at 6%, Cindy BERRY is at 5% and Rep. Beau LAFAVE (R-Iron Mountain) at 4%.

The survey also asked likely GOP primary voters about former President Donald TRUMP and whether they’d be more or less likely to support a GOP gubernatorial candidate that backed supported him.

A total of 58% of those polled said they were “much more likely” and another 22% said they were a “little more likely” to vote for a candidate that backs Trump.

“With 80% ‘more likely’ it demonstrates the incredible hold that Trump continues to have on the Republican Party,” said Steve MITCHELL of Mitchell Research and Communications. 

Original source can be found here.