Poll Shows Gray Gaining Traction In Congressional Special Election

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- With two weeks until early voting begins in the April 18 special election to fill Georgia's 6th Congressional District seat, it appears the one candidate is closing in on the top two choices among voters.

Bob Gray, a former Johns Creek City Council member, is now within five points of Republican Karen Handel and Democrat Jon Ossoff, according to a poll released last week by the Trafalgar Group.

The breakdown of the poll is as follows:

• Jon Ossoff (D) -- 18.31 percent
• Karen Handel (R) -- 17.98 percent
• Bob Gray (R) -- 13.42 percent
• Judson Hill (R) -- 7.98 percent
• Amy Kremer (R) -- 3.05 percent
• Ron Slotin (D) -- 2.82 percent
• Dan Moody (R) -- 2.11 percent
• Bruce LeVell (R) -- 0.45 percent

Readers should note that nearly 34 percent of responders were either undecided or indicated support for another candidate. The organization conducted the survey of more than 450 respondents from a random stratified selection of likely 2017 special Congressional election voters.

The margin of error is +/- 4.5.

Gray's campaign believe the numbers could be a sign that his bid is gaining momentum.

“You’re starting to see Republicans split into two camps: those that want a conservative outsider and those used to seeing Handel’s name on the ballot," said Tyler Jacobs, Gray’s campaign manager.

Robert Cahaly, senior strategist with TFG, said President Donald Trump's approval numbers (at 51 percent among 6th Congressional district residents), the Republican leanings in the 6th District and supporters rallying around Ossoff create "dual scenarios" heading into the the election.

"Either the Republican-Trump supporters, energized by his victory and presidency dominate turnout, creating and all GOP runoff, or the Democrats organize and motivate their small base and take advantage of the competitiveness among the top few Republicans -- most specifically Handel and Gray -- to create a D vs. R runoff election on June 20th," he added.

You can view the results of the poll here.

The deadline to register to vote in the race is March 20, and advance voting begins March 27. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 18 and a runoff, if needed, will be held on June 20.

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