Hemminger Leads Race for Chapel Hill Mayor

The Chapel Hill political landscape has seen a drastic shift in polling numbers in the lead-up to Election Day.

A new Public Policy Polling survey has challenger Pam Hemminger leading the Mayoral race with 43 percent of those surveyed responding they would support the former Chapel Hill – Carrboro City School Board member and County Commissioner.

PPP director Tom Jensen spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck.

 

Incumbent Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt received support from 37 percent of respondents.

Challenger Gary Kahn came in at two percent.

Support from Hemminger has grown by 18 points since the first Public Policy Polling survey on Chapel Hill voters, while Kleinschmidt’s support numbers have remained steady from the first polling in late September.

Hemminger has a favorability rate of 51 percent compared to 14 percent of those surveyed who have an unfavorable opinion.

More respondents approve rather than disapprove of the job Kleinschmidt is doing as Mayor, but the margin is much closer with 44 percent approving and 36 disapproving.

Public Policy Polling says that based on previous municipal election turnout and the six point margin between the top two contenders, a race for Mayor could be decided by an estimated 500 votes.

18 percent of respondents were still undecided on who they would cast a ballot for in the Mayoral race as Election Day approaches.

The number of undecided voters is considerably higher in the race for four seats on the Chapel Hill Town Council, with 39 percent of respondents uncertain of who they would pick as their first choice and half of those surveyed unsure of who their second choice would be.

Challenger Nancy Oates continues to lead the Town Council candidates, 30 percent of respondents say they would peg Oates for one of their four votes. Oates was followed by challenger Jessica Anderson, 29 percent, incumbent Jim Ward, 28 percent, and challenger David Schwartz, 25 percent.

Incumbent Donna Bell checked in at number five in the Town Council race. Bell received support from 22 percent of respondents. Challenger Michael Parker, 20 percent, and Lee Storrow, 19 percent, are within shouting distance of the four open seats.

Challengers Paul Neebe, eight percent, and Adam Jones, six percent, round out the field of candidates.

Based on past election turnout, once again, Public Policy Polling states that an estimated 1,000 votes could separate first and seventh places in the race for Town Council.

Endorsements have been coming in from around the community in recent weeks.

You can see the raw data from Public Policy Polling here.