INDReporter

Poll shows Keaty leading judge's race

by Nathan Stubbs

Phyllis Keaty enjoys a double digit lead over her three opponents in the race for 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the Keaty campaign by Southern Media & Opinion Research of Baton Rouge. Phyllis Keaty enjoys a double digit lead over her three opponents in the race for 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the Keaty campaign by Southern Media & Opinion Research of Baton Rouge. Asking if the Appeals court election were held today between the qualified candidates, all Republicans, of city court judge Francie Bouillion district court judge Phyllis Keaty, attorney Steven "Buzz" Durio and attorney Jeanne Laborde, for whom would you vote, the poll reports 26 percent of respondents opting for Keaty, 12 percent for Bouillion, 10 percent for Laborde and 7 percent for Durio. The poll also shows almost half the voters, 45 percent, are still undecided. The election for Appeals court seat will be held October 2nd.

"We are pleased that the poll confirmed our belief that Judge Keaty is leading in the race," said State Representative Nancy Landry, Chair of the Phyllis Keaty campaign, in a press release announcing the survey results. "With 45 percent of likely voters undecided, there is still a long way to go, but Judge Keaty is also the best known among the candidates with a 56 percent recognition factor, and a 5-1 favorable to unfavorable ration. As a result, it is already clear that Judge Keaty is in the strongest position to expand her base of support and win the election." Bouillion had a 50 percent recognition factor, according to the poll, while Laborde and Durio's were much lower, each at 26 percent. The telephone poll of 300 likely voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.8 percent and was conducted on July 13th and 14th.