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Polling data prior to loss of labor support shows favorable results for Dooley

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Results released this week from a poll indicate positive standings for St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley a year out from the coming election.

“The race for St. Louis County Executive in 2014 begins with Charlie Dooley in a strong position for re-election,” the Hamilton Campaigns results document reads, adding that 54 percent of the County’s registered voters have a “favorable opinion” of the incumbent.

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Additional data included:

  • – Among likely Democratic Primary voters: Dooley – 66, Councilman Steve Stenger – 17 percent, Undecided – 17 percent
  • – Against the “two tested Republican opponents in the vote preference:” Dooley – 51 percent, Republican – 38 percent, Undecided – 11 percent
  • – Phrases used to describe Dooley, which included: “gets things done,” and “puts the people of St. Louis County first.”

The data represents a survey of 500 registered voters likely to vote in the November 2014 election, according to the results page. Polling took place via telephone.

Additionally, the polling data occurred in late August, specifically Aug. 19-22, which is about two weeks before the first labor group announced they were removing their support of Dooley, followed by others.

“Since the poll was done prior to our decision not to endorse, I would think the polling numbers would change dramatically based on the decision to do so,” Bob Soutier, President of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council AFL-CIO, tells The Missouri Times.

Soutier says the decision to remove backing of Dooley’s reelection was “solely based on the fact that we didn’t like the way he was attempting to run.”

He adds that there was no knowledge of the polling occurring when the decision was made to remove support from Dooley, therefore there was no attempt to affect any results.

“Part of the reason for our decision was his decision to add a prominent Republican that supports ‘Right to Work’ into his cabinet and put him in charge of the police commission,” Soutier adds, referring to former gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence. “We didn’t look favorably on that.”

Dooley appears to be a client of Hamilton Campaigns, as does AFL-CIO.

Messages to Dooley’s campaign office and to Stenger were not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon. The story will be updated as responses are received.