Democrats Lead in Battleground Senate Races
WASHINGTON – Today, End Citizens United (ECU) PAC released new polling to show strong opposition to the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, allowing for unlimited and undisclosed contributions to influence elections. Most notably in the poll, voters were significantly less likely to support candidates who supported Citizens United.
Opposition to the landmark Supreme Court case crossed party lines with 68% of Wisconsinites and 67% of Illinoisans opposed to Citizens United.
“Voters are overwhelmingly opposed to the idea that corporations and billionaires can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections, essentially drowning out the voices of middle-class Americans,” said Richard Carbo, Communications Director for End Citizens United. “Campaign finance reform is needed in this country more than ever, but more importantly, Americans want it. It is now clear that voters are willing to punish politicians who continue to stand behind shady outside groups funded by the likes of the Koch Brothers.”
According to the first round of polling commissioned by ECU, Democratic candidates who champion campaign finance reform lead their rivals in two of the nation’s key U.S. Senate races. Most importantly, voters factor in a candidates support of Citizens United when deciding who to support in the next election.
The latest ECU polling is as follows:
In Wisconsin, former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) leads U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) in the Wisconsin rematch 47% to 39%.
In Illinois, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) leads U.S. Senator Mark Kirk 45% to 41%.
Key findings in the End Citizens United Wisconsin polling:
Opposition to Citizens United crosses party lines in Wisconsin
According to the End Citizens United poll, 81% of Democrats, 78% of Independents, and 45% of Republicans oppose Citizens United.
Johnson supporters and independent voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supports of Citizens United
20% of Johnson supporters and 43% of undecided Wisconsin voters would be more likely to oppose the incumbent for his support of Citizens United.
The End Citizens United poll surveyed 775 registered voters with an IVR survey to landlines and live calls to cell phones in the State of Wisconsin, and has a margin of error of +/-3.63 percent.
The complete Wisconsin polling memo is available by clicking here.
Key findings in the End Citizens United Illinois polling:
Illinoisans, across the political spectrum, overwhelmingly oppose Citizens United
Statewide, 67% of respondents oppose Citizens United. The party breakdown signifies the broad opposition to the Supreme Court case – 73% of Democrats, 69% of Independents, and 56% of Republicans oppose Citizens United.
Kirk supporters and independent voters are less likely to support a candidate who supports Citizens United
Among voters currently supporting Kirk, 34% indicated that they would be more likely to oppose a candidate in favor of the decision, and 41% of voters who are undecided say they’d be more likely to oppose a candidate who supports the Citizens United decision.
The End Citizens United poll surveyed 948 registered voters with an IVR survey to landlines and live calls to cell phones in the State of Illinois and has a margin of error of +/- 3.23percent.
The complete Illinois polling memo is available by clicking here.
Read more on End Citizens United: MSNBC: End Citizens United PAC wants to make its name a reality.