WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- With one week until election day in America's largest state, the California NexGen BIGpoll of 7,097 registered Golden State voters finds that just over 61% will vote to remove Governor Gray Davis from office in the Recall Election scheduled for October 7, 2003. And according to results, Arnold Schwarzenegger will top the field by almost a sizable double-digit margin over his nearest rival, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante in the Replacement Election to fill the office of Governor.

Paul F. Welday, President of Renaissance Strategies, a leading business and political communications firm, said, "Not only is Arnold Schwarzenegger bringing home the Republican vote, but he has made a sizable dent in Cruz Bustamante's support among Democrats. And only 4.8% separates Arnold from Bustamante among Hispanic voters with 32% going Schwarzenegger's way. Only one in five Republicans now support Tom McClintock and it looks like his campaign is over."

The poll was conducted by BIGresearch for Renaissance Strategies between September 23-27 sampled 7,097 registered voters from throughout California via e-mail using sampling techniques pioneered for business and industry. The poll's margin of error is +1%/-1%.

In the election as to whether to recall Governor Gray Davis, California voters are clearly looking for change with 61.4% saying he should be recalled. 38.6% of California voters believe he should stay in office. Recall fever is particularly high in Southern California with 70.5% of San Diego area voters and 69.2% of Los Angeles voters intending to vote Governor Davis out of office. And younger voters between the ages of 18-34 want Davis out by 68.2% to 31.8% margin.

In the Replacement Election to succeed Davis, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has pulled ahead to a dramatic lead over the large field of candidates with 39.7% of voters indicating support for his candidacy. Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante follows with 23.6%, State Senator Tom McClintock has 12.6%, Green Party candidate Peter Camejo pulls 3.6%, Independent Arianna Huffington has 2.8% and all other candidates record 4.2%. 13.4% of California voters remain undecided with less than one week to go.

Dr. Joe Pilotta, V.P. of BIGresearch said, "The BIGpoll(TM) is groundbreaking as it represents the largest political poll of registered voters in California. The sample is almost ten times larger than typical polls, which enable us to gather unique insights about the many diverse cultural communities that comprise the electorate. The ability to gather large samples cost effectively and in almost real-time revolutionizes political polling."

About BIGresearch

BIGresearch is a market intelligence firm providing analysis of consumer behavior. Its syndicated Consumer Intentions and Actions survey monitors the pulse of more than 8,000 consumers each month to identify opportunities in a fragmented and changing marketplace.

BIGresearch's methodology provides the most accurate consumer information in the industry at a confidence level of +/- 1%. Complimentary top line findings are available at www.bigresearch.com .

 

Contact:   Jennifer Kronstain
Title:        Press Relations
Phone:    267-257-9422
Email:     jennifer@jenniferkronstain.com

About Renaissance Strategies

Renaissance Strategies is a leading political and business communications consulting firm working on behalf of private sector, trade association and Republican political clients. A leader in the field of e-communications for political and public affairs issues, it specializes in technological innovation in research, persuasion and direct contact. Renaissance Strategies has offices in Washington, DC and Novi, Michigan

Contact:  Paul Welday

Phone:    (202) 546-0049 (o)

              (248)  320-0035 (c)
Email:     pfw@renaissancestrategies.us

This release was issued through Major Newswire ( http://www.majornewswire.com )