10/26: South Dakota: Rounds with Wide Lead in U.S. Senate Race… Daugaard Trounces Wismer in Governor’s Contest

In the race for U.S. Senate in South Dakota, Republican Mike Rounds, 43%, is out in front of Democrat Rick Weiland, 29%, and independent Larry Pressler, 16%, among likely voters including those who are undecided or have voted early.  A majority of likely voters who support Pressler, 56%, reports their second choice is Weiland, and most Weiland backers, 72%, say their backup candidate is Pressler.

Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard, 67%, outdistances his Democratic challenger and state legislator Susan Wismer, 28%, among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early.  With a favorable rating of 70%, Daugaard is popular among the likely electorate.  Wismer, however, is not well-known to a plurality of likely voters.

Complete October 26, 2014 NBC News/Marist Poll of South Dakota

“Rounds is benefitting from a multi-candidate field,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Although Rounds has a double-digit lead, there are still undecided voters, and the possibility for some shuffling of support between Weiland’s and Pressler’s supporters.”

Poll Points U.S. Senate:

  • Rounds, 43%, leads Weiland, 29%, and Pressler, 16%, among likely voters in the U.S. Senate race including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early.  Independent Gordon Howie has the support of 3%, and 7% are undecided.
  • Looking at party, more than twice as many Democrats, 10%, support the Republican Rounds, than the proportion of Republicans, 4%, who back Weiland, the Democrat.  There is little consensus among independents likely to vote.  Rounds has 32%, 31% are for Pressler, and 22% for Weiland.
  • 63% of likely voters with a candidate preference including early voters are firmly committed to their choice of candidate for U.S. Senate.  Similar proportions of Rounds’, 70%, and Weiland’s backers, 66%, are firmly in their respective candidate’s camp.  48% of Pressler’s supporters express a strong level of support to him.
  • 10% of likely voters with a candidate preference say they might vote differently come Election Day.  17% of Pressler’s backers, 8% of Weiland’s supporters, and 6% of Rounds’ backers might vote differently.
  • Among likely voters with a candidate preference excluding early voters, Pressler is the second choice candidate of 43%.  18% select Weiland while 10% choose Rounds.  Weiland is the second choice of a majority of Pressler’s backers, 56%. And, Pressler is the second choice of most of Weiland’s supporters, 72%.  The plurality of Rounds’ backers, 44%, says Pressler is their second choice.
  • Majorities of likely voters have a favorable impression of Rounds, 52%, and a positive view of Pressler, 52%.  46% think well of Weiland.
  • Among registered voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early, Rounds, 43%, leads Weiland, 28%, and Pressler, 16%.  Four percent are for Howie.
  • When it comes to the issue crucial in deciding their vote for Congress, 25% of likely voters cite breaking the partisan gridlock in Washington.  Social Security and Medicare, 15%, the deficit and government spending, 14%, health care, 13%, and job creation and economic growth, 12%, also rate.  Seven percent mention military action against ISIS, while immigration is noted by 3%.  Looking out for the interests of women receives 2%.

Poll Points Governor:

  • In the contest for South Dakota governor, Daugaard, 67%, outpaces Wismer, 28%, among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early.
  • Most Republican likely voters rally behind Daugaard.  However, Wismer only receives 68% of Democrats likely to cast a ballot.  29% of Democrats cross party lines and support Daugaard.
  • 67% of likely voters with a candidate preference including early voters strongly support their choice of candidate for South Dakota governor.  69% of Daugaard supporters and 61% of Wismer’s backers say they will not waver in their support for their candidate.  Five percent of likely voters with a candidate preference might vote differently.
  • Daugaard, 67%, has a commanding lead over Wismer, 26%, among registered voters in South Dakota including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early.
  • Daugaard enjoys a high favorable rating, 70%.  Wismer is unfamiliar to 43% of likely voters.  Wismer’s favorable score is 31%, and her negative rating is 25%.
  • 32% of adults in South Dakota approve of the job President Barack Obama is doing in office.  A majority, 56%, disapproves.

Marist Poll Methodology

Nature of the Sample and Complete Tables