Thread: Poll: Arpaio has huge lead

Poll: Arpaio has huge lead
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Saban hasn’t made up ground
October 29, 2008 - 10:28AM
Dennis Welch
Daily News-Sun
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio maintains a strong lead over Democratic challenger Dan Saban as the candidates enter the final week of the campaign, according to a survey released Tuesday.

Among registered voters, Arpaio, a Republican, holds a commanding 56 percent to 35 percent lead over Saban, according to the Arizona State University poll conducted late last week.

Bruce Merrill, an ASU pollster, said the numbers are similar to previous polls of the sheriff's race, meaning Saban has been unable to gain much traction in the months leading up to the election.

Although other polls have shown the sheriff's approval ratings have dropped slightly from previous years, Merrill said Arpaio is still immensely popular with county voters.

"Joe is Joe," Merrill said Tuesday. "He's been around forever, and the more his opponents attack him it seems the better he does."

Merrill said he doesn't expect Arpaio to win by that large of a margin because he anticipates a high turnout on Tuesday that should be favorable for Democrats.

Arpaio has been in office 16 years and is seeking an unprecedented sixth term in office.

Saban, former Buckeye police chief, is making his second run at Arpaio. He was soundly defeated by Arpaio in the 2004 Republican primary.


Dennis Welch may be reached at 480- 898-6535 or dwelch@evtrib.com.

http://www.yourwestvalley.com/news/arpa ... rrill.html

"Joe is Joe," Merrill said Tuesday. "He's been around forever, and the more his opponents attack him it seems the better he does."

This is saying a lot! Go Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!