Poll Shows Colbert Busch Stretching Lead to 9 Points

The latest poll on the First Congressional District race shows Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch leads Republican Mark Sanford by a margin of 50-41 percent in a poll conducted over the weekend by left-leaning Public Policy Polling. Green Party candidate Eugene Platt drew 3 percent support.

In PPP's last poll, Colbert Busch had a 47-44 edge.

Among Independents, Colbert Busch leads 51/35 and is also drawing support from nearly one in five (19 percent) Republicans. 

Last week's trespassing allegations made 51 percent of those polled say they doubt his fitness for public office. 65 percent of Republicans say last week's news had no effect on them.

Sanford's favorable and unfavorable ratings are 38 and 56 respectively. Among Republicans, Sanford's favorability increased from 55 to 61 percent since the last poll. Colbert is viewed favorably by 56 percent of those polled versus 31 percent who view her unfavorably.

Separately, 86 percent of those polled are in favor of background checks for guns, which is more than twice the number of people who support President Obama in the district.

The person who has fared the worst since the last poll appears to be Jenny Sanford. Previously her favorable/unfavorable figures were at 57/15. This poll had them at 47/27, which suggests that many voters are holding her responsible for the trespassing allegations instead of her ex-husband.

Despite the poll numbers, SCGOP Executive Director Alex Stroman is optimistic. He told Patch, ""This poll is one with a long-established liberal bias. The first is a conservative district, and we're confident we'll hold it."

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