September 12, 2003
...on Oklahoma Senate
A poll conducted August 27-28 by Wilson Research Strategies (WRS) for Cong. Ernest Istook (R) shows him with an early 42%-17% lead over Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys (R) in a hypothetical open seat GOP Senate primary match-up.
So what's so unusual? Well, incumbent Sen. Don Nickles (R) hasn't announced whether he will seek another term.
Much of Istook's advantage comes from name ID. Istook's ID is 51% favorable/8% unfavorable, while Humphreys's is 27% favorable/6% unfavorable. "Outside of [the] Oklahoma City area, Humphreys is a relative unknown," writes Wilson in the memo addressed to "Friends of Ernest Istook."
In referring to the survey, Istook emphasized that he hoped Nickles would run again and noted that "there's great concern" about the GOP's ability to hold the seat if Nickles retires. While he added that it was "too early to make a decision" about running, he added "because so many people encouraged me to run, we knew a poll was needed."
Humphreys hasn't exactly been sitting idly, waiting for Nickles to make an announcement. He too has been taking steps to prepare for a race. And Democratic Cong. Brad Carson seems likely to jump into any open seat Senate contest.