8/14/2019 Schakowsky Polling Memo 4-25-1

1/2

1726 M Street, NW | Suite 500 | Washington, DC 20036 | T 202.776.9066 | F 202.776.9074

WASHINGTON, DC | BERKELEY, CA | NEW YORK, NY | LOS ANGELES, CA | RICHMOND, VA

www.lakeresearch.com

1

Celinda Lake

President

Alysia Snell

Partner

Michael Perry

Partner

David Mermin

Partner

Robert G. Meadow, Ph.D.

Partner

Daniel R. Gotoff

Partner

Joshua E. Ulibarri

Partner

Rick A. Johnson

Vice President

Tresa Undem

Vice President

Robert X. Hillman

Chief Financial Officer

Alan C. WolfChief Operating Officer

Memorandum

To: Interested Parties

From: Lake Research PartnersSubject: The 2010 Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois

Date: April 24, 2009

Findings from a recent survey of likely Democratic Primary voters in Illinois show a

wide open race for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held

by Senator Roland Burris, with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky holding a narrow

lead over all candidates, including the incumbent Senator. In addition, when voters

learn more information (positive and negative) about the candidates, Schakowsky

expands her lead over the field.1 Schakowskys message resonates strongly with a

Democratic electorate hungry for progressive leadership that will once again provide Illinoisfamilies a chance at the American Dream.

Congresswoman Schakowsky owns a slight lead in a race that is wide open at thisearly stage. In an initial three-way trial heat, Schakowsky takes nearly a quarter of the

vote (24%), narrowly edging out State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (22%). Senator

Roland Burris draws just 18% of the vote a striking indicator of his vulnerability. The

intensity of support also narrowly favors Schakowsky (16% strong support), followed by

Giannoulias (15%) and Burris (10%). Still, with over one-third (36%) of the DemocraticPrimary electorate undecided, this seat is up for grabs.

After voters hear positive statements about the candidates, Schakowsky posts adouble-digit lead. Schakowskys lead grows from 2 points in the initial ballot to 16

points after voters hear more about the candidates (see text of statements on following

page). She leads Giannoulias on the three-way ballot, 38% to 22%, with 21%undecided. C.E.O. Cheryle Jackson attracts 17% of the vote.

2

o Notably, the percentage of voters who support Schakowsky stronglyon the

informed ballot (23% strong support) outnumbers the total percentage ofvoters who support Giannoulias (22% overall support).

Even after voters hear negative information about Schakowsky and the othercandidates, Schakowsky retains a solid lead over the field.

1Lake Research Partners designed and administered this survey of 600 likely February 2010 Democratic Primary voters in

Illinois. The survey was conducted from April 19-22, 2009. The margin of error for this poll is +/-4.0%.

2On the informed ballot, Cheryle Jackson was substituted for Roland Burris in order to simulate the most competitive scenario

with an African-American woman in the race.

8/14/2019 Schakowsky Polling Memo 4-25-1

2/2

Page 2

Even more impressive, Schakowskys lead is not a function of superior name recognition, whichactually belongs to Giannoulias. Voters have a slightly more informed opinion of Giannoulias, and both

candidates are viewed positively. Despite Giannoulias advantage in name recognition, however, Schakowskyleads throughout.

Bottom Line: At this early stage in the race, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is the strongestcandidate in a wide open race for the Democratic nomination for Illinois U.S. Senate seat. Schakowskys

lead on the initial ballot against incumbent Senator Roland Burris and several other serious candidates isimpressive, and once voters learn more about each of the candidates they coalesce around her candidacy insignificant numbers. Even after hearing a strong attack on Schakowsky, the Congresswoman retains her lead.

TEXT OF POSITIVE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias believes Illinois deserves a Senator who can deliver on Obama s promise

of change. As the state's chief investment officer, he stood up to disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich for

greater fiscal integrity, and created new safeguards to curb ethical abuses and make government more

accountable. He is running for Senate to rescue government from the narrow interests that control the

process, revive the economy and put people back to work. In the spirit of his friend and political mentor,Barack Obama, Alexi does not accept contributions from corporate PACs or Washington lobbyists. This is a

time for new solutions and a new generation of leadership.

Cheryle Jackson is a powerful voice for civil rights and social justice. A trailblazer who worked her way up to

become the first African-American woman to serve as Urban League President, shes worked tirelessly to

secure millions for women- and minority-owned businesses, and is leading the fight to ensure hardworking

Illinoisans see an economic benefit from the 2016 Olympics. As the only African-American in the race to fill

Barack Obamas former seat, Cheryle is the best candidate to carry out Obama s proud legacy of progressive

change expanded economic opportunities for working families, strong and stable communities, guaranteed

affordable health care for all Americans, and a good education for all children. Cheryle Jackson will bring real

change.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky began her career as a young mom leading a successful national

campaign to put freshness dates on food. In Congress, shes been a champion for progressive change an

early opponent of the war in Iraq, an outspoken voice for a woman s right to choose and equal pay, a fighter

for jobs that you can raise a family on, and a real investment in kids education. An early supporter of Obama

and the national co-chair of his campaign, Jan is leading the fight with the President to ensure all Americans

have guaranteed affordable health care. Jan is working with Obama to put the country back on track, re-instill

a sense of hope in our future, and give working families a chance at the American Dream again.