Results of the Complexities of Color Wilmington Mayoral Debate Focus Group

You’ll remember that the CoC in conjunction with the Metropolitan Urban League Young Professionals, Delaware Young Democrats Minority Caucus and IMAC hosted a Mayoral Debate at Ezion Fair on April 18. One of the potentially interesting things that could come from that debate was some polling data — in the form of a focus group — that might start shedding some light on the state of this race. I’ve permission to share this results memo on Delaware Liberal (I will post the actual memo later today — I can’t do that from here right now):

Before the debate started, out of 547 registered outline 90 percent were undecided. However of the decided voters, Eugene Young had the most support.

Focus group demographics:
• 6 individuals – 4 females, 2 males
• Diverse occupations and interest fields
• Ages range: 25 years old to 60 years old

Pre-debate:
50% of the group was undecided
50% of the group lean support towards one or two candidates

Post-debate
20% of the lean support recognized split their vote – adding one or two candidates to their possible candidate.
Undecided maintained their position.

100% said the debate was information and there was a clear benefit from listening to all the candidates provide positions on certain issues.

The group agreed the debate was passionate, but they were not convinced some of the candidates are passionate about the city. The group felt the open dialogue allowed the candidates to try and convey their visions; the moderators played a key role in keeping the candidates on the question.
The two questions that connected with the group; how does the mayor plan to attract young professionals and how to spur economic development for those already living in the city.

Attracting young professionals – Eugene Young gave the top answer
Spurring economic development – Theo Gregory gave the top answer

When asked about the response to all questions most felt three individuals stood out as answering the questions.
• Eugene Young – able to better understand issues facing young professionals even if the Mayor’s office has no actual authority, he mentioned student loans
• Theo Gregory – did not stick to talking points, focus group thought he best directly answered most questions
• Maria Cabrera – coming into the debate she was not seen as serious, but minds were changed by her performance.

When asked if there were candidates who did not answer the question three stood out – Robert Marshall, Mike Purzycki, Dennis P. Williams.
• Williams spent too much time bashing the other candidates and not given answers on what he intended to change – defensive

The general consensus of the group was Norman Griffith did not stand out and people are not aware of what he intends to accomplish as Mayor.

When asked was there a concrete winner the group felt overall Eugene Young and Theo Gregory stood out most relative to the other candidates. The group is impressed with Young’s progression given he has never held an elected office. They all believed he is sincere with his concern regarding Wilmington.

All members of the group felt none of the candidates answer the question; how do you look to improve relations between police and the black community. Of the eight candidates they felt Eugene Young had more to offer than just – community policing, but would have like to hear more detail.

General consensus – the group is tired of the same politicians and feeling like nothing has been accomplished. They want to see more of Ms. Cabrera as well, she may be a viable candidate.

One of the tough things about Delaware politics is the lack of good polling on races. This focus group is too small of a sample for the people who showed up, I think, but we can see some interesting points emerging.

• On a big stage, with alot of candidates Eugene Young was able to leave a very good impression especially on questions that are on alot of people’s minds (Community policing and keeping young people in the city).

• Theo Gregory was actually making sense to people in the room.

• Mike Purzycki did not do himself any favors with this group.

• Neither did Williams or Marshall or Griffiths.

• Maria Cabrera made an impression — enough for folks to be interested in hearing more.

• Kevin Kelly’s name isn’t even mentioned here.

The last item genuinely surprises me. But I think this starts to point to Kevin’s problem — with Pyrzycki and Marshall running, his base is eroding and I’m not sure he can get enough other voters to get him over the finish line.

Young’s supporters volunteered disclosing their support at a greater rate than the others, clearly, but the focus group wasn’t leaning his way.

Still, there seems to be plenty of room for candidates to make their case and capture support. This makes some sense early in this race when some of these candidates hadn’t really ramped up an effort yet. I also think that this shows how much of Williams’ support has deteriorated. I am also interested in the contradiction of the Focus Group’s desire to get past the usual politicians but Theo Gregory being seen as a winner along with Eugene Young. Gregory is one of the poster children of the usual suspects who watched as Rome burned, so it seems that this is a place to differentiate. Young is definitely not one of this usual suspects and while he was seen as an early dark horse, he has pretty clearly overcome most of the criticisms of his running now and seems to be in the current top tier of supported candidates. The people who were having on for him to “wait his turn” should be rethinking their advice.

I didn’t get to the Coalition to Dismantle the New Jim Crow debate last night, but will be at the Public Safety one this Thursday. More then.

What do you think?

(Many thanks to Dr.Morton, the Complexities of Color, the Metropolitan Urban League Young Professionals, Delaware Young Democrats Minority Caucus and IMAC for granting permission to publish these results.)