California 3: Lungren Responds to Challenger With Two Polls

By Nathan L. Gonzales

On the heels of his opponent releasing a poll showing a statistically even race, Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) countered by paying for two polls by separate pollsters, each showing him with a significant lead.

An Oct. 7 survey for the Republican’s campaign, conducted by pollster Val Smith, showed him leading physician Bill Durston (D) 47 percent to 27 percent.

An Oct. 9 Moore Information poll, also paid for by Lungren, showed him with a similar 45 percent to 25 percent advantage, and third-party candidates combining for 3 percent.

The Congressman and his campaign said they simply did not believe the polling released early by Durston’s campaign and commissioned the polls to contest the results. An Oct. 4-6 survey by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates for Durston showed Lungren leading his Democratic challenger only 33 percent to 30 percent. A large 30 percent of the electorate was undecided.

Two years ago, Lungren defeated Durston 60 percent to 38 percent, with two third-party candidates combining for less than 3 percent of the vote.

This story first appeared on RollCall.com on October 14, 1008. 2008 © Roll Call Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.