By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A new poll conducted by the Jeff Sessions for Senate campaign has the former senator surging into a comfortable lead, more than 20 points ahead of his closest rival.
The survey was conducted On Message, the consulting firm Sessions has hired to run his campaign. Its survey of 700 likely Republican Primary voters with a margin of error at +/- 3.7%.
According to the survey, Sessions leads with 44% of voters saying they would choose him if the election was held today, followed by 21% for former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville and 14% for Congressman Bradley Byrne.
| Choice | % |
|---|---|
| Jeff Sessions | 44 |
| Tommy Tuberville | 21 |
| Bradley Byrne | 14 |
| Roy Moore | 7 |
| Arnold Mooney | 1 |
| Ruth Nelson | 1 |
| Undecided | 12 |
A previous poll conducted in October by WPA Intelligence on behalf of Club for Growth, which supports Sessions, showed Sessions with 36% support a week before he announced his candidacy. The more recent data would suggest the former U.S. Attorney General’s support has grown in the month since his formal announcement.
While paid for by Sessions, it is the first serious poll to be taken after the exit of Secretary of State John Merrill from the race and may answer some questions as to where his support might ultimately go.
On the question of candidate favorability, the survey mirrors the October numbers with 71% of voters having a favorable view of Sessions, while 21% have an unfavorable view.
| Candidate | Favorable | Unfavorable |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Sessions | 71 | 21 |
| Tommy Tuberville | 50 | 17 |
| Bradley Byrne | 37 | 11 |