Posts by Delaware Dem

The great Drew Volturo of the Delaware State News reports (sorry no link) about a push poll being used in the 32nd Representative District on behalf of incumbent Donna Stone (R) and against her opponent, Brad Bennett (D):

Details of who authorized the poll and how many resi­dents were called are unclear, but indications from those who received the call are that it could have been a “push poll” — a political campaign technique used to influence a voter by posing negative infor­mation about a candidate.

…

The [poll] asked about Rep. Stone’s work in passing manu­factured housing legislation and whether her presidency of the National Conference of State Legislatures took away from her duties in Delaware[.]

“Then they turned around and started with questions about her opponent,” Ms. Cle­ments [a district resident who received a call] said. “They asked, ‘Did you know the only reason Brad Bennett is running is to help his father- in- law get elected to the Senate?’” Mr. Bennett’s father-in­-law is Brian J. Bushweller, a Democrat running for an open state Senate seat against for­mer Dover mayor James L. Hutchison.

Ms. Clements said the poll­ster also asked if she was aware that Mr. Bennett is running for his dad’s old seat — Edward J. Bennett served 18 years in the House until 1994, when Rep. Stone won the open seat — and that his security company could get more state contracts if he wins in November.

“It was really annoying how they just bashed him,” said Ms. Clements, a registered Republi­can who said she has voted for Rep. Stone in the past. “It sick­ened me to the point where I wouldn’t consider (voting for Rep. Stone) this time.”