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Internal poll gives Russell wide lead over Burns

An internal poll commissioned by Bill Russell’s congressional campaign shows him holding a large edge over wealthy businessman Tim Burns, as the two prepare to face-off in the May primary to succeed the late Congressman John Murtha (D-12).

The survey by Zogby International showed Russell garnering about 36 percent of the GOP primary vote, compared to only seven percent for Burns. About 36 percent of voters were undecided, in results that underscore the superior name recognition Russell enjoys because of his run against Murtha in 2008. A Russel campaign insider provided excerpts of the poll, but not the entire survey, making it impossible to fully evaluate.

Republican Party insiders are set to meet next week in Latrobe to pick a candidate for the special election to serve out Murtha’s term. But with many seeing Burns as the favorite, Russell’s campaign has been playing down expectations for that meeting, and is focusing more on the primary contest to be held the same day as the special election.

Almost three-quarters of Republican voters surveyed didn’t know enough about Burns to have an opinion, according to the poll, a situation that will surely change if he reaches into his own pockets for a comprehensive advertising blitz.

Results of the poll, conducted in mid-February, had already been circulating in the blogosphere for several days, but the Russell campaign only began drawing attention to it Tuesday.

“Our campaign has been on the ground in every area of the district,” Russell said in a statement. “It’s encouraging to see all the hard work paying off.”

March 2, 2010 at 3:30 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Bill Russell, John Murtha, PA-12, Tim Burns

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