Poll says Emerson beating Sowers

Tommy Sowers has been called U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's first serious opponent in years, maybe ever. But poll results Emerson's campaign released earlier this week suggest her Democratic opponent still has a long way to go if he's looking for an upset Nov. 2.

The poll, conducted by the Virginia-based American Viewpoint, shows Emerson leading over Sowers 63 percent to 24 percent. The firm, whose clients include almost exclusively GOP politicians and organizations, conducted a survey of 400 likely voters Sept. 13 and 14. The margin of error is about 5 percent.

"Based from the feedback I've been getting from people, they like me and are supporting me," Emerson said Wednesday. "People are worried about issues. I think they're concerned that there's way too much government and I think that's what has them engaged right now."

But those numbers aren't quite as good as an April poll by the same firm that showed Emerson leading 71 percent to 18 percent, suggesting Sowers has made inroads.

Sowers' campaign doesn't share the results of its polling, but campaign spokesman Jonathan Feifs said they're still confident.

"I think we focus a lot more on people than on polls," Feifs said. "That's why we've built this campaign from nothing. I guess playing these reindeer games with polls is not the path to victory for us. The direct path to victory is direct contact with voters."

They trust the message they're getting directly from voters, Feifs said.

"We're running polls every day, through thousands of phone calls, every hand that Tommy shakes and at every parade and coffee shop," he said. "We have thousands of informal polls every day and, based on those, we feel pretty good."

Emerson's campaign also points to other numbers in the poll that shows 68 percent gave her a favorable rating compared to Sowers' 22 percent. She said those numbers come despite Sowers' negative ads and statements that portray Emerson as a supporter of taxpayer-funded bailouts.

Emerson said the numbers show Sowers' methods aren't working.

"You have to have credibility with the voters before you can go on the attack," Emerson said. "People like the job I have done."

But Feifs said Emerson's negative ads, which call Sowers "an Obama-Pelosi yes man" who backed the federal health care law, show Emerson recognizes Sowers as a legitimate threat.

"She's dropping, and Tommy Sowers is moving up," Feifs said.

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