Lane Report: Grayson and Hendrickson tied

A Lane Report poll conducted last month shows Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson in a dead heat with Democratic challenger Bruce Hendrickson.

Grayson and Hendrickson were tied at 37 percent each, with 22 percent undecided, according to the latest edition of the business magazine.

The poll of 617 likely voters conduced Sept. 13-17 by Preston-Osborne shows Democrat Steve Beshear leading Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher by 15 points. Fletcher trailed by 18 points in an August survey done by Preston-Osborne.

Democrats led by double digits in every other down-ticket race except for agriculture commissioner, where Republican incumbent Richie Farmer held a 52 percent to 33 percent lead over Democratic challenger David Lynn Williams.

(Hat tip: The Rural Democrat)

- John Stamper

Comments

Grayson is toast if this poll is correct; straight ticket voters are going to end his run as SoS.

This is Ernie Fletcher's fault.

[Frankfort Realist]

Please for the future of our Commonwealth people pay attention to the Secretry of State's race. Hendrickson has one of the dumbest ideas I have ever heard ... two receipts. One to leave at the polls and one to take to the vote buyer. As a former election administrator, I know that we cannot have someone in office like this. He would be a disaster!

When is the HL going to endorse in this race? There are a lot of rumors that they will pick Hendrickson because Grayson is a conservative. I certainly hope not.

Hendrickson is running a great race. If he had half the cash of Grayson he would beat Trey by 15. The straight ticket will end this for Grayson.

[Oh My]

All Democrats need to vote STRAIGHT ticket and get rid of all the Republicans. From Ernie to Richie lets throw all the bums out and make a statement. THis will be my first time to do it but I'm definately voting straight Democrat this election. I challenge all you democrats to do the same.

[KYJurisDoctor]

You missed this tidbit from your quoted source:

"Well this poll is not exactly new and I had no idea the poll existed before today. The data was collected from September 13 to 17 ... ."

A new SURVEYUSA poll coming out soon will give us a BETTER and CLEARER picture!

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2007/10/surveyusa-poll-beshear-leads-fletcher.html#links

It will be interesting to say the least.

Grayson is trying to take away our ability to vote straight ticket. Where's the sense in that? Why would anybody want to make voting even more time-consuming than it already is?

Trey Grayson is just another typical politician, creating problems where there are none. I'm voting for BRUCE HENDRICKSON.

What is the relevance of a poll that is over a month old?

What is the relevance of a poll that is over a month old?

Stan Lee will be the upset winner because there re reports that the more people get to know Conway the less they like him. Voters think Conway is immature and too silly for the post.

Your poor, uneducated source "Rural Democrat" did not supply credible data. That poll appeared in October's edition but stated that it was more than a month old. I would be hesitant to use info from this person.

[Bill Adkins]

I am not comfortable with a Republican checking tallies in 2008 for presidential elections. Republican secretaries of state gave us Florida 2000 and Ohio 2008 and eight years of the worst administration in history. I thought Carter was the worst -- until this clown came along.

It's a shame you used The Rural Democrat as your source. All they do is try to paint Bruce Hendrickson as the second coming of JFK when he has no clue on what the Secretary of State's office does for Kentuckians.

Trey Grayson has proven that he can reach across bi-partisan lines and get things done. Go Trey Go!

Trey Grayson is the Katherine Harris of Kentucky. He'll do anything to cheat the opposing party voters out of their right to vote, their right for their votes to count, and their right to meaningful review of the tallying process.

I voted for Grayson in 2003, but since then he's been partial and biased in whose voting rights he is willing to honor. That's one of the worst flaws I can think of in any elected official, because it corrupts the integrity of the process.

I agree Hendrickson's not ideal, but he's a damned sight better than Grayson, in my opinion.

I'm impressed with Hendrickson. He is very astute as to the duties of the SoS office and has the clear edge in both common sense and consistency over Trey. Not even 3 months ago Trey stated publicly he may even run against Fletcher and characterized Ernie as unfit to serve. Now he's riding on Ernie's (short) bus. I won't be able to bring myself to vote a straight D ticket (gotta go Richie for Ag Com I'm afraid) but I will be voting for Hendrickson without a moment's hesition. The 2008 elections must be unquestionable and I can't put that kind of trust in Trey considering his warp-speed return to Ernie's coattails. Dumb move.

lee is a nut case vote conway

If Jerry Lundergan were still the Democratic chair, the whole Democratic ticket would be winning. He would have the focus on the races, not on selling books. How much longer must we put up with J. Miller? He's a major problem for Dems!

Re J. Miller, when will Mark N., Sharon C., Rob W. weigh in?

[Tommy Jenkins]

I'm vote for Bruce! He mixes small town charm with rock solid values. That is something we need more of in Kentucky. Grayson was swept in because of Flecther and will be swept out!!! Go Bruce you rock man!

Lundergan a better chair than Jonathan Miller? Now THAT'S funny.

Jonathan Miller is doing a fantastic job. Much, MUCH better than Lundergan.

[gino]

If though TRAY does not want us to be able to vote straight ticket, I will vote for all D's on election day.

I wish someone would ask to see TREY’S civics initiative curriculum, you know the stuff they give our schools to teach! That might be a problem because it does not exist and it has never been taught in our Kentucky schools! Yet that is all he has to run on from what I see.

I'm voting for Bruce Hendrickson. Yes, Trey has the Harvard degree, but he's using this position as a launch pad for future positions. I respect Trey, but I'm voting for Bruce.

Anybody that pulls a straight lever ticket cannot think for themselves.

Most of the young people facing college can not afford certain colleges. I believe that all are created equal, and I do not want my grandchildren thinking that only the elite (Harvard) few should be ALLOWED to run for office. I believe the chemistry teacher/ football coach would be a great breath of fresh air for our state. He gets my vote.

To 12:01am:
You must be kidding! Where is all the accountability that Miller and his lackeys cried out for when Jerry was chair. No reports-nothing. No organization and you don't get to claim credit for Cauley's work with the coordinated campaign.

Dems should look into Nate Parsons. Parsons works for Trey Grayson and advocated at Transy a very liberal position on one of the Republican "G" issues. (God, Gays, Guns) I can't believe Trey Grayson would hire the guy if he knew that. Maybe Grayson believes the same thing or didn't do his homework.

Bruce Hendrickson's public service career is marked by one stop as the mayor of Pineville. He is not well-spoken or well-educated. He is NOT the face Kentucky needs representing us as we attempt to shed the image that has plagued the state for years.

For the love of God, vote for Grayson.

Actually, 9:37, much knowledge is required from a person who understands the basics of party philosophy. I know an old retired coal miner who still loves the memory of Roosevelt and the Democrats of that time. Yes, much has changed, but to understand is good. To guess is not good. So you see, if a voter does not know all of the candidates, he may still vote the party that person most closely represents. After all, it is about representation, isn't it?

11:03 I guess you have to be stupid to have masters! I love these Grayson supporters they are talking Grayson right out of a job! When all else fails attack!

Sorry, Hendrickson just does not have a clue what goes on in the office. It will be major step back for Kentucky to elect him. I realize that Trey may be swept by the anti-republican tide, but it would be a major mistake for Kentucky. He has been a good and decent public servant.

[J.C. Fisher]

If the Democrats looked into Nathan Parsons all they would find is a man with deep faith who cares a great deal about the wellbeing of those who live in Kentucky. I am sure Secretary Grayson hired "Nate" because he is extremely intelligent and highly qualified. If the person who posted at 10:45 had done his own homework he/she would have known that. I would also like to know what exactly the Secretary of State's office has to do with the "G issues".

Mr. Fisher, I think you should have directed your comments to 11:03am, not 10:45 am. Thanks.

The LEO endorsed Trey. Let me repeat that, the most democrat friendly publication in the entire state endorsed Trey Grayson for SOS. I think that's all you need to know about bruce's competency.

This poll was in September, before advertising, before newspaper endorsements. The results would be much different if taken now.

[Paul]

I think Bruce will pull it off. Most of the Democrats I talk to are voting straight ticket, and there's going to be a record turnout. Hendrickson has run a great campaign and easily beats Trey on the issues. People know Trey is just holding the job so he can move up the ladder in a few years, and that ain't a very good reason to vote for somebody.

The stars have aligned for a Bruce Hendrickson victory on the 6th.

The herald leader summed it up nicely: "Democratic challenger unprepared for job"

http://www.kentucky.com/247/story/213075.html

Read for yourselves. Add this to the Leo, the Courier, & more. It's pretty clear that rank partisanship has no place in this race. Secretary of State Trey Grayson is the best person for the job.

[CW]

A lot of you must have been so disappointed your lies against Trey Grayson didn't prevail on election night.

The one above implying that Grayson wants to outlaw people who didn't graduate from the same school as him from even being allowed to run for office really takes the cake. Total lunacy.