With one month to go until election day, the absence of a Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate appears to have largely benefited independent Kennedy Stewart, at least according to the most recent polling results.
A Research Co. poll released this week shows that 36 per cent of decided voters say they will vote for Stewart on Oct. 20, that’s up 11 points since a previous poll in July. Ken Sim of the Non-Partisan Association is in second place with 25 per cent (down one point) followed by independent Shauna Sylvester at 17 per cent (up six points), Yes Vancouver’s Hector Bremner at seven per cent (up two points) and ProVancouver’s David Chen steady at four per cent.
The NPA’s Ken Sim and independent Kennedy Stewart faceoff at a mayoral debate Sept. 17. Photo Dan Toulgoet
Wai Young with Coalition Vancouver is at three per cent (down five points), Fred Harding with Vancouver 1st is also at three per cent and Connie Fogal of Idea Vancouver is at two per cent.
Ian Campbell, who withdrew as Vision’s candidate for mayor on Sept. 10, had the support of 18 per cent of decided voters back in July.
“The departure of Ian Campbell from the mayoral race has definitely helped Stewart, who currently has the support of 45 per cent of Vancouverites who voted for Gregor Robertson in the last mayoral election,” said Research Co. president Mario Canseco. “Sim is connecting well with the NPA’s traditional base, and is holding on to 49 per cent of the voters who supported Kirk LaPointe in 2014.”
In the last election Robertson got 83,529 votes to LaPointe’s 73,443.
The latest poll also found that housing is far and away top of mind for voters with 67 per cent of survey respondents saying it is the most important issue facing the city, followed by transportation (nine per cent), poverty (nine per cent) and economic development (five per cent).
