INDReporter

Harson counters Stutes with a poll of his own

by Walter Pierce

The longtime district attorney says "Not so fast, mister" to a recently released poll by his rival.

Keith Stutes, left, and Mike Harson

Criticizing his rival's recent poll as one containing "push questions," that is, questions designed to lead the respondent toward a favorable showing for the candidate commissioning the poll, District Attorney Mike Harson says his own poll conducted at the end of April has him 15 points ahead of former Assistant District Attorney Keith Stutes by a comfortable 15-point margin.

Conducted April 28-30 by Cherry Communications of Tallahassee, Fla., the Harson Campaign-commissioned poll finds the incumbent ahead of his former prosecutor 37-22 percent. The Harson camp adds that the DA leads Stutes "in every demographic category, including gender, race and age in all three parishes of the district."

"I am very pleased with the results since the poll was conducted after my opponent had been on radio and televsion for a month," Harson says in a Thursday press release announcing the poll's results.  "I truly believe the people are getting tired of the negative message my opponent and his supporters continue to spread."