MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – The Beacon Center, a conservative leaning government watchdog group, released results from its exit polling from Thursday’s election.
The center is based out of Nashville but came to Memphis to talkto voters after they cast their ballots. Just under 300 voters were interviewed,from several different parts of the city.
Here are some of the early results:
81% of voters said they approved of Mayor Strickland’s jobperformance.
“That is a huge number. Even the most popular Governors in Americaare somewhere around 70-75%, so anything over 80% is incredible. So I wasactually surprised at how popular he was here. Even people who didn’tnecessarily vote for him said I still think he’s doing a pretty good job,”said Mark Cunningham with the Beacon Center.
Cunningham helped coordinate the exit poll.
Another question asked: “What one issue is the most importantto how you voted today?”
The top 3 answers:
- Public safety and crime: 23%
- Continued growth: 15%
- Fiscal responsibility and taxes: 15%
“A lot of Memphians seem to think the city is moving in theright direction,” said Cunningham.
Memphis voters are not Trump supporters. According to the exitpoll, 91% disapprove of President Trump.
So how do voters feel about handing out tax breaks?
When asked, “Do you believe the city government should giveout tax breaks and or tax dollars to individual corporations in order to getthem to move into the city?’
- Yes: 44%
- No: 37%
- Unsure: 21 %
“They are for it as long as it is limited in scope, and it’sactually bringing jobs, and they are actually meeting the promises they made tothe city,” said Cunningham.
So who answered these questions?
When asked “how do you most closely identify?” 49% said moderate, 29% said liberal, and 22% said conservatives.
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(The following are the final results of the exit polling released by The Beacon Center at 7:00 p.m. Thursday.)
Question 1: Who did you vote for in the election for Mayor of Memphis?
- Jim Strickland: 69%
- Willie Herenton: 21%
- Tami Sawyer: 9%
- Other: 1%
Question 2: Did you vote for or against the sales tax increase today?
- For: 54%
- Against: 46%
Moredetailed numbers are below:
Those who chose public safety as their #1 issue
- Jim Strickland: 69%
- Willie Herenton: 31%
- Tami Sawyer: 0%
Those who chose continued growth as their #1 issue
- Jim Strickland: 100%
- Willie Herenton: 0%
- Tami Sawyer: 0%
Those who chose fiscal responsibility/taxes as their #1 issue
- Jim Strickland: 83%
- Willie Herenton: 17%
- Tami Sawyer: 0%
Those who chose fairness/equality as their #1 issue:
- Jim Strickland: 44%
- Willie Herenton: 11%
- Tami Sawyer: 44%
Those who chose firefighters/police as their #1 issue:
- Jim Strickland: 64%
- Willie Herenton:36%
- Tami Sawyer: 0%
Those who chose education as their #1 issue:
- Jim Strickland: 44%
- Willie Herenton:33%
- Tami Sawyer: 22%
Those who approve of Mayor Strickland’s job performance:
- Jim Strickland: 81%
- Willie Herenton: 16%
- Tami Sawyer: 3%
Those who disapprove of Mayor Strickland’s job performance:
- Jim Strickland: 22%
- Willie Herenton: 44%
- Tami Sawyer: 33%
Those who voted for a sales tax increase:
- Jim Strickland: 72%
- Willie Herenton: 22%
- Tami Sawyer: 6%
Those who voted against a sales tax increase:
- Jim Strickland: 70%
- Willie Herenton: 21%
- Tami Sawyer: 9%
Those who approve of President Trump:
- Jim Strickland: 87%
- Willie Herenton: 13%
- Tami Sawyer: 0%
Those who disapprove of President Trump:
- Jim Strickland: 68%
- Willie Herenton: 20%
- Tami Sawyer: 13%
Those who believe the city should give out tax incentives to individual corporations to move to the city:
- Jim Strickland: 86%
- Willie Herenton: 12%
- Tami Sawyer: 2%
Those who believe the city should not give out tax incentives to individual corporations to move to the city:
- Jim Strickland: 53%
- Willie Herenton: 35%
- Tami Sawyer: 12%
Those who identify as liberal:
- Jim Strickland: 58%
- Willie Herenton: 17%
- Tami Sawyer: 25%
Those who identify as conservative:
- Jim Strickland: 88%
- Willie Herenton: 12%
- Tami Sawyer: 0%
Those who identify as moderate:
- Jim Strickland: 70%
- Willie Herenton: 29%
- Tami Sawyer: 0%