Talbott, West Lead In Poll

The three main candidates for Spokane’s next mayor are locked in a “barn burner” of a contest.

That’s the clear message from a recent scientific survey of Spokane residents who say they are planning to vote on Sept. 19.

John Talbott, who’s trying to keep the mayor’s office at City Hall as Spokane switches to a more powerful elected chief executive, leads the poll. Of those contacted between Sept. 1 and Sept. 6, 26 percent say they plan to vote for him.

Jim West, hoping to trade nearly 19 years in the Legislature for three years as mayor, is second, with 23 percent. Spokane attorney John Powers, a political newcomer, is third with 16 percent.

Retiree Robert Kroboth was the choice of just under 1 percent of those polled.

Considering the poll’s 5 percent margin of error, Talbott and West are statistically tied, and Powers could be only one or two percentage points behind.

“You’ve got three, big-time serious candidates. Anybody can win,” said Del Ali, president of Research 2000, which conducted the poll. “In the last week, you’ve got a barn burner.”

All three candidates said Monday the poll results would not affect their campaign strategy.

“I don’t believe polls,” Talbott said. “It makes no difference. I keep on plugging.”

“I generally don’t pay attention to polls,” West said. “We’re just working real hard to get the message out of experience and getting the city’s economy going.”

Powers said his campaign’s internal polling shows them gaining among previously undecided voters. “We’re confident we’re going to come through this primary.”

A third of the voters in the survey had yet to make up their minds.

Although he is third in the poll, Powers actually has the best chance to gain among the undecideds, if he can reach them through meetings or advertising, Ali said.

That’s because nearly all of the voters recognized Talbott’s name, and seven out of eight recognized West. But more than a fourth of those surveyed didn’t recognize Powers. Those who did recognize the candidates were more likely to have a favorable impression of Powers.

“Powers has a lot more room to grow. Nobody should be shocked if he pulls off a victory,” Ali said.

Because the top two vote-getters advance to the Nov. 7 general election, candidates may spend the last week attacking the opponent they see as most vulnerable to being “the odd man out,” he said.

“This is very much a race to see who doesn’t get eliminated,” Ali said.