Bakersfield businessman Stan Ellis is sitting near an outright victory for the special election to replace former Assemblyman – now Congressman – Vince Fong in the California State Legislature, a new poll reports.
Ellis leads the four-person field to replace Fong in the February 25 special election, boasting 47% support, near an outright majority.
Driving the news: The poll, conducted by Guidant Polling and Strategy, reported Ellis, a Republican, pulling support from 47 percent of respondents. His nearest competitor on an initial ballot was Democrat Chris Cruz-Bone, who only secured a quarter of the respondents’ support.
- Holly Willibey, a fellow Republican, nabbed 6% support and Libertarian William Brown, Jr. picked up 2%.
- Fifteen percent of respondents remained undecided, per GPS pollsters.
- The poll reported a 3.88% margin-of-error, demonstrating that Ellis does have a potential path to outright victory in the Feb. 25 special election primary, avoiding a costly runoff in late April.
- Pollsters also found Ellis as the only candidate with significant voter favorability, with 33% of respondents reporting favorable view of the career entrepreneur.
- No other candidate reported double-digit favorability, owing to severe lack of voter recognition.
What they’re saying: “Stan is a fighter who will bring common sense to Sacramento and reign in their out-of-control policies,” Ellis campaign chief Cole Rojewski said in a statement. “Voters know he will defend our energy and agriculture industries while standing strong with law enforcement and rural hospitals. Stan’s traveling the district, meeting with voters, and building an incredible base of support. The enthusiasm behind his campaign is undeniable, and we are confident that momentum will continue to grow. As we enter the final stretch of the campaign, Stan will keep engaging with the community and earning every vote.”
