Poll shows Peschong expanding lead over Martin

November 2, 2016

By KAREN VELIE

Republican John Peschong is building on his wide lead over Democrat Steve Martin as the campaign for the San Luis Obispo County District 1 supervisor seat enters its final week, according to a CalCoastNews poll conducted Sunday.

Among decided voters, Peschong holds a 29-point lead over Martin. Peschong leads with 64.83 percent followed by Martin at 35.16 percent. Of registered voters polled, 31 percent said they were still undecided.

In the primary election, CCN polls were strong indicators of the final results. In a poll conducted on May 19, CCN had Peschong leading with 45 percent of the vote and Martin at 32 percent. In the June 7 primary, Peschong received 45.52 percent of the vote and Martin garnered 35.02 percent.

The latest CCN poll has a margin of error of less than 5.5 points. CCN contracted with a phone survey company to call a randomized list of district voters.

With Supervisor Frank Mecham retiring, two of five seats are up for grabs on Nov. 8 as is the political makeup of the county board. In the past, Democrats Adam Hill and Bruce Gibson often battle Republicans Debbie Arnold and Lynn Compton with Republican Mecham being the swing vote.

Currently District 3 candidate San Luis Obispo Councilman Dan Carpenter, who is not affiliated with a political party, has a slight lead in the polls over incumbent Hill.

According to the San Luis Obispo County Clerk Recorders website, as of Oct. 14, the county has 163,311 registered voters including 62,358 Republicans and 57,706 Democrats.