SEATTLE – The race for Seattle Mayor is a virtual tie the day before the election, according to the final KING 5 News poll before votes are counted.
The poll, conducted over the weekend by SurveyUSA, has Joe Mallahan ahead of Mike McGinn, 45 percent to 43 percent, with 12 percent still undecided. With a margin of error of ± 4.1 percent, it’s anybody's race.
Neither is surprised that the race is so close.
"I've always considered this a dead heat. It's the only way to run a campaign, so we've been working hard every day, every hour of the day," said Mallahan.
"I'm just pushing, just trying to sprint through the finish line right here. Keep talking to voters. Keep reaching out to voters. Keep the spirits of the team high. So, I'm not really nervous at all," said McGinn.
Twelve days ago, Mallahan had a seven point lead. Since then, Mallahan has gained 2 percent of the vote while McGinn has gained 7 percent.
This is the first poll taken since McGinn announced he would not try to block construction of the waterfront tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Until that announcement, the tunnel issue was the most notable difference between McGinn and Mallahan.
Mallahan, a T-Mobile executive, is notably ahead among older voters, Republicans, moderates and those with higher incomes. McGinn has the advantage among younger voters, liberals and those with lower incomes.
The survey polled 586 people who have either already mailed in their ballots or those who are likely to vote.
factoid said on November 2, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Serves Seattle right to get to choose between Mr. Mallahan and Mr. McGinn. Reminds me of the movie dumb and dumber.
seasinglevoters said on November 2, 2009 at 10:39 PM
During the primary and initially I supported Joe but at a 43rd democratic picnic his campaign managed asked me to change of all things my twitter name which at the time was SeaSingle4Mallahan. They lost my vote on the spot. To be honest, I was worried since Mike seemed like a single issue candidate - so over the last few months I actually watched 2 of the debates and on a trip to San Francisco I even went down to their waterfront to see what had happened when they tore down a similar viaduct. I was impressed by Mikes' depth of understanding of issues and his grasp of the importance of Seattle neighborhoods but it was his ability to really listen to people. Issues will change and he understands how to build consensus. I even went in person to meet Mike McGinn at one of his 20 plus town hall meetings and told him that I didn't vote for him in the primary. He was genuine, intelligent, informed and won me over. Elect Mike McGinn for Mayor and hire Joe as the Tunnel project manager.
metropolis said on November 3, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Biased reporting is alive at KING 5. Ch5 has slammed Mr. McGinn during Mayoral Campaign, every chance they get. I'm absolutely disgusted the way everything is taken totally out of context about McGinn when he clearly overshadowed Mallahan at every debate including the one on KING 5. Mallahan has a track record of never voting (14 times) is absent at least half the mayorial debates. Mallahan appears to be a used car salesman or better yet refurbed "cell phone salesman." He clearly comes across as a "conservative BIG BUSINESS" guy w/ a suspicous no. of Republican "business friends." How easily we forget what happens when "Big Business Bullies" take over the government. We are still suffering from the Madoffs, Enrons, and Adelphias of the world. Madoff sounds way to close to Mallahan for my taste. KING 5 showed what "could happen if the viaduct was hit by an earthquake." Why not show what would happen "in the tunnel fifty ft under when hit by an earthquake". Impartial report
jonathans said on November 3, 2009 at 12:42 AM
I'm voting for the candidate who will best serve Seattle. The candidate who has been involved with this community for a long time. The candidate who not just votes, but has been involved in getting measures on the ballot. I'm voting for MIKE McGINN! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXkNEolhTxw
midnightralfer said on November 3, 2009 at 8:30 AM
The "community organizer" has no experience running or manageing a business. Mallahan has the experience as a basis to run city government. The organizer will be another disaster for Seattle.