Money and messaging give Sanders boost in governor’s race

Gov. Sarah Sanders has extended her lead over her two opponents, according to a poll released Sunday morning.

In a survey of 709 likely state voters, Sanders, a Republican, received 51%, compared to 32% for Democrat Fred Love and 11% for Colt Shelby, a Libertarian.

The Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College poll showed Sanders had improved her standing since a similar survey that was taken in mid-August that showed Sanders was leading Love 45-to-40% and Shelby with 11%.

Roby Brock, editor of Talk Business & Politics, said Sanders’ war chest was starting to take a toll on her opponents.

“As we’ve seen in the U.S. Senate race, money matters. Over the last two months, Gov. Sanders has flooded the airwaves, social media and mailboxes with messaging to boost her reelection bid, while her opponents have been heavily outspent with their counter messaging,” Brock said in a news release.

Sanders has raised close to $8 million while Love has raised around $237,000, and Shelby around $40,000.

The respondents were contacted between Oct. 8 and 13 and asked one question: 

“If the race for Governor were being held today, which of the following candidates would you vote for?”

Six percent of those called said they were undecided.

Dr. Jay Barth, emeritus professor of politics at Hendrix College and a columnist for the Arkansas Times, said advertisements also had helped move the needle for Sanders.

“The Governor now finds herself with a slight majority of the vote,” he said in the news release. “Also showing some movement in recent weeks is Libertarian candidate Colt Shelby who has moved into double digits in this most recent survey. Democrat Fred Love remains in second place but has dropped by a handful of points since the last survey. All told, the Governor now looks in a dominant position for reelection, but having two opponents is holding down her overall percentage.”

The survey’s margin of error was plus or minus 5%.

Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 19.