SEATTLE – In the final KING 5 News poll before votes are counted on Tuesday, Dow Constantine has surged ahead of Susan Hutchison in the race for King County Executive.
The poll of 614 likely and actual voters, conducted by SurveyUSA, gives Constantine 53 percent of the vote over Hutchison's 43 percent. Five percent of voters remain undecided.
It's the first time that Constantine, the King County Council president, has led the former TV news anchor in a KING 5 poll. The last survey, taken three weeks ago, had Hutchison with a five point lead – a 15 point swing.
Sixty percent of respondents say they have already mailed in their ballots. Of those who have already voted, Constantine leads by 12 percent. Based on that, Hutchison would need to carry procrastinators by 14 points or more to win.
Women give a 3-to-2 margin to Constantine over Hutchison. The last poll had the candidates split in that category.
Hutchison has an overwhelming edge among Republicans and conservatives in the non-partisan race, while Constantine leads overwhelmingly among Democrats and liberals.
Voters who label themselves as independent slightly favor Hutchison while those classifying themselves as moderate give Constantine a double-digit advantage.
Less educated voters approve of Hutchison while Constantine has a double digit lead among more educated and more affluent voters.
The survey was conducted between Friday and Sunday.
vickdichselbst said on November 2, 2009 at 2:12 PM
"Less educated voters approve of Hutchison..." That pretty much sums it all up right there.
blankingout said on November 2, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Ha ha, I saw that two and laughed...
blankingout said on November 2, 2009 at 5:07 PM
dang too*, instead of two* ha ha.
factoid said on November 2, 2009 at 5:09 PM
With all the problems King County is facing, due to mis-management by the council and Mr. Sims, it does not make any sense that the so called 'educated voters' want more of the same. They may be more educated, but certainly lack common sense. Mr. Constantine is part of the reason the County is in the shape it is, but leave it to a democrat to first create the problem and then campaign to fix the problem he helped create. I don't not care what party you are, I suggest voting out every incumbent, so we can start over, top to bottom. The problems have become so large they can't be fixed. Since the poll only questioned 614 likely voters, while being a great headline, I hope the election turns out differently.
liquidboss said on November 2, 2009 at 5:46 PM
factiod, even if all of what you say is true I don't see how electing a person who knows nothing about running the county or anything else for that matter would help solve problems. She was absolutely destroyed by Dow in the debate I saw, and that stuff about trying to stop the light rail across I90 and put it over 520 really hurt her I think. It just stressed how little she knows about the county and really exposed her as a person who needs talking points but has no real solutions.
maltbymike said on November 2, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Constatine had his chance with KC Council. Job did not get done - or done poorly. Time for a change. The "less educated" comment is the liberal slap/spin that king5 has to put in.
antisocialist said on November 2, 2009 at 9:13 PM
King County deserves more of the same old same old with Constantine. Dow can pick up where that loser Ron Sims left off. Susan Hutchinson has too much common sense to appropriately represent the ultra liberal loony left populace of King County.
Anonymous said on November 2, 2009 at 9:33 PM
"The "less educated" comment is the liberal slap/spin that king5 has to put in." LOL! King5 ... liberal? WTF?! That made my evening!
speedcat said on November 2, 2009 at 9:36 PM
"The "less educated" comment is the liberal slap/spin that king5 has to put in." LOL! King5... liberal? Are you serious?! thanks for the laughs Women go for Dow by a 3-2 margin. Hmm, wonder why? Moderates for Dow by a double-digit advantage. Moderates shy away from ultra-conservatives, where some "independents" can stomach them.
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 6:18 AM
I watched some "Bubble Head" on the news last night with the Dow supporters say she is backing Dow because she supports womens rights and so forth. Well goodie for her. That is great. I myself also support womens rights all the way, but you got a guy here who has been on the City Council for years and has run the city into the ground. How in debt is the city now? Maybe Bubble Head does not keep track? But maybe she likes the same old thing. The Animal Shelters are going, cops are going, educaction is going, her beloved believes and family centers only a matter of time. Dow has other things to pay for. Somebody wake Bubble Head and her friends up.
jackwong said on November 3, 2009 at 6:20 AM
Hutchison is Republican... that' enough for me. Long live Democrats!
kss123 said on November 3, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Another blind voter....nice jackwong, show the true colors of the "less educated" voters by blindly going with one side or another and not looking at the individual and the topics at hand..... Thank you....great example.....
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 9:22 AM
anonymous@6:18 says: "How in debt is the city now?" Uh, they're running for King County Executive, not mayor. The county doesn't control the city budget. Yet another well-informed Hutchison voter.
stryker said on November 3, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Suzy Qs TV adds is what lost it for her in my book. Didnt need to look much farther at her lack of qualifications.
alexandra said on November 3, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Intellectuals? hahahah. They always lead in every 'revolution' towards collectivism of one sort or another. Yeah, let's put all Democrats in -- drive out business, give up our salaries to help the underprivileged, give all to the state. But I guess our voting matters not -- just read an article naming Washington State with the most dead voters. I guess we are doing so much better even than my the Chicago machine -- Democrats can never lose.
bigdaddyof4 said on November 3, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I typed in here earlier about how we would see the credibility of King5 thru these polls after the results start filtering in. But it was removed! I guess I didn't pass their fairness standards with that statement? Wow! King 5, you have reached a new low.