Joe Morrissey
About two out of five Richmond voters are unsure for whom they will cast their ballot in the city’s mayoral race, a new poll released over the weekend showed.
The poll, commissioned by ChamberRVA and conducted by the Southeastern Institute of Research, provides the most recent – and robust – measuring stick in the seven-person race with just over three weeks left until Election Day. The survey, conducted from Oct. 5 to 11, polled 1,850 respondents, including at least 200 in each council district. Citywide, the margin of error was 2.3 percent. At the district level, the margin of error is no higher than 6.9 percent.
Former Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Morrissey is the choice of 20 percent of voters citywide, and he maintains leads in six of the nine voters districts (3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th). Jack Berry, the former Venture Richmond executive, polled at 17 percent, with leads in three districts (1st, 2nd and 4th). Levar Stoney, the former secretary of the commonwealth, is running third with 15 percent of the vote.
West End Councilman Jon Baliles is the choice of 6 percent of respondents. Council president Michelle Mosby is running fifth with 4 percent of the vote. Lawrence Williams and Bobby Junes each polled at 0 percent citywide.
ChamberRVA released the poll on Saturday, ahead of its televised debate between the top five candidates. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight (Monday, Oct. 17) at the Altria Theater. It is open to the public. WWBT-NBC 12 will broadcast the debate beginning at 7 p.m.
