Polling data suggest Katz is vulnerable
Viewpoints Research tests three scenarios against mayor
By: Mia Rabson
29/01/2010 1:00 AM |
Comments: 28
Political forces lining up against Sam Katz for this fall's civic election say they now have polling data showing the mayor is vulnerable against possible contenders such as NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis.
The
Free Press has learned that the NDP-connected polling firm Viewpoints Research tested Katz against at least three different contenders: Wasylycia-Leis, councillor Lillian Thomas -- the only declared candidate for mayor thus far -- and Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President Dave Angus, who is also being encouraged to run.
None of the sources would release the poll results, but all said they showed Katz' re-election is far from a sure thing. One said in a head-to-head race with Katz, Wasylycia-Leis was "competitive."
Wasylycia-Leis said she did not commission the poll and hasn't yet been shown any results.
"I'm anxious to see it," she said. "It would help me make my decision."
However Wasylycia-Leis said so far her decision is being based on the reaction received since she went public with the fact she is considering a run for the mayor's job. "It's all been positive," she said.
Wasylycia-Leis said she has set mid-April as the absolute deadline for making a decision and said if she decides to run for mayor she would step down as the MP for Winnipeg North.
Equally as influential says Wasylycia-Leis, was Katz himself and his state-of-the-city speech, which she said she believes was an indirect attack on her.
In his speech to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Katz declared war on the NDP and the Winnipeg Citizens' Coalition, which he referred to as a "left-wing group" saying they will not take over city hall on his watch. "I can assure you I will do everything in my power to make sure that no political party ever ever takes control of your city hall."
Said Wasylycia-Leis: "The best poll was Sam Katz himself. The indirect attack at me in his speech. It was a very defensive move."
Wasylycia-Leis said a state of the city speech is supposed to be a chance for Katz to outline his vision for the city. "For him to spend even a second going after a bogeyman, or a candidate that hasn't even declared yet, he seems to be rattled," she said.
Bobbi Ethier, co-chair of the Winnipeg Citizens' Coalition, said she was very surprised by Katz's speech and said it has spurred a number of people to get more involved with the coalition.
"We've had some pretty big reaction from very credible citizens," said Ethier.
She said she took offence at the group being labelled "left-wing" noting she is a longtime member of and organizer for the Liberal Party of Canada.
"I wouldn't have anything to do with it if this was an NDP group," said Ethier.
The coalition bills itself as a "community driven group" pushing for more responsibility at city hall. Ethier said Katz should be embracing the coalition, which isn't endorsing any one candidate and aims to engage more people in civic politics and improve the dismal 38 per cent voter turnout from the last mayor's race.
A spokesman for Katz declined to comment further about the speech or its possible galvanizing effect on his opponents. "The mayor made his opinions very clear," said a spokesman for Katz. "The mayor also isn't going to comment further on a campaign by someone who hasn't even officially declared their candidacy."
No incumbent mayor has been defeated in Winnipeg since Stephen Juba beat George Sharpe in 1957.
Last June a Probe Research poll found Winnipeggers were decidedly content with Katz's performance with 16 per cent saying he was performing "very well" and 58 per cent saying he was performing "fairly well."
--with files from Bartley Kives
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 29, 2010 A5
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