Peters, DeMaio in Dead Heat for California Congressional Seat

Freshman Congressman Scott Peters and his opponent Carl DeMaio are virtually even in a  poll conducted this past week. Respondents varied, however, as to each candidate’s favorability on given issues and within certain demographics.

Of the 559 likely 52nd district voters that participated in the SurveyUSA poll, Peters has gained traction and now leads DeMaio by 1 point with 7% remaining undecided leading up to the November general election. The San Diego Union Tribune and KGTV 10 News sponsored the poll that was conducted September 11-14.

Integrity was listed as the most important issue at a rate of 33%. Fiscal responsibility came in at 25%, ability to cross party lines 21% and leadership 11%. Peters polled 19 points ahead of DeMaio on the top issue of integrity.

DeMaio polled marginally more favorably than Peters on transportation. Among those who rank fiscal responsibility as most important, DeMaio leads by 58 points.

On crossing party lines, Peters trumps DeMaio by 39 points.

DeMaio had been leading Peters in a similar poll three months ago, according to the UT. Much of the gain has come amongst male voters, with DeMaio’s lead shrinking from 17 points down to two. Women in the poll favor Peters 49 percent to DeMaio’s 47. Peters has also reportedly gained in popularity among white voters, an 11-point change from the previous poll.

Despite DeMaio being a homosexual, when respondents were asked which candidate better reflected the voter’s position on homosexual marriage, 23% were undecided, 43% saw Peters as reflecting their views, and 34% went with DeMaio.

Both men are former San Diego City Council members. DeMaio was once a San Diego mayoral candidate. After his former opponent, Mayor Bob Filner, was pressured to step down from his position as San Diego Mayor due to reports of sexual harassment, DeMaio chose not to enter a special election for the seat, but rather chose to remain in the Congressional race. Peters was first elected to the Congressional seat for the 52nd district in 2012, defeating incumbent Congressman Brian Bilbray.

The SurveyUSA poll reports a margin of error of 4.2 percent.