Gray Up 7 Points in Latest Poll
Fenty plans to compete in triathlon Sunday
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With the D.C. primary just days away, challenger Vincent Gray holds a lead over incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty in the latest opinion poll.
A new, independent Clarus Research Group poll shows Gray maintaining a 7-point lead among likely voters over Fenty -- 45 percent to 38 percent -- with 14 percent still undecided. In a Clarus poll about a month ago, Gray's lead was 5 points -- 41 percent to 36 percent. Looks like Fenty needs that 14 percent to win reelection, and he has the funds to give it a good effort.
Gray continues to be the black choice (62 percent to 17 percent) while Fenty still has the white vote (68 percent to 22 percent). Clarus examined two hypothetical scenarios. Assuming a heavy white turnout (50 percent black voters and 43 percent white voters), Fenty would cut Gray's lead to two points. Assuming a heavy black turnout (60 percent black and 33 percent white) and Gray's lead increases to 11 points.
Gray campaigned at a senior citizens home on Connecticut Avenue at lunchtime Wednesday. Fenty visited the Upshur Street Recreation Center in Northwest -- the latest in a massive, citywide rebuilding plan of city facilities that Fenty hopes will boost his reelection chances.
"The campaign is doing great," Fenty said. "We're excited about the last six days … get as many of them to the polls as possible to convince both undecided and soft voters that we're the right candidate for the job."
But News4 has confirmed that Fenty the candidate will take some time out from his campaign this weekend so Fenty the triathlete can compete in the Nation's Triathlon Sunday.
In two years, Fenty has raised almost $5 million, compared to $1 million that Gray has raised in the past few months. Fenty has about $800,000 on hand for the stretch run, almost twice the amount Gray has. But Gray has raised enough money to be competitive.
"We're helping with transportation for people who may need transportation," Gray said about getting his supporters to the polls. "There are any number of people who have volunteered their own personal vehicles."
Fenty told WTOP radio that he's asked President Barack Obama to endorse him in the final days of the campaign. Gray seemed to dismiss that effort.
"We've really reached out much more locally," he said. "We've touched people in the city, people who've been involved with the city every day."
Obama has backed Fenty's education reforms but hasn't made any political endorsement yet.
Posted Wednesday, Sep 8, 2010 - 7:57 PM EST
