Magellan Strategies unveils 2018 Republican primary voters survey
Apr 23, 2018, 4:30 AM
(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
PHOENIX — Magellan Strategies recently conducted a survey of likely 2018 Republican primary voters in the state of Arizona.
The company, which provides voter survey research and voter data modeling, used three days of interviews to compile information on this year’s likely Republican primary voters.
Survey results were weighted based on past voter turnout demographics for a Republican primary election in the state, according to the survey.
In terms of Sen. John McCain and his medical state, 77 percent of voters believed the senator should retire, while 19 percent believed he should keep on serving in the U.S. Senate. A majority of voters interviewed felt McCain’s job as a senator has been less than ideal, with 72 percent disapproving of the job he has done.
Speaking of the Senate, if the Republican primary election was held today, congresswoman Martha McSally would be the victor, with 36 percent of voter support — which led all other candidates — to replace Sen. Jeff Flake, who had a 74 percent disapproval rate.
Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio held slim lead over former Arizona State Senator Kelli Ward, while six percent voted for “other” and seven percent were undecided.
While Arpaio wasn’t in the lead to take over Flake’s seat, voters had rather positive thoughts of the former sheriff, with 67 percent of voters having a favorable opinion of Arpaio. That’s more than any other candidate listed in the survey.
McSally and Ward had a 48 percent and a 46 percent favorable image rating, respectively.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who has been in the middle of an education battle with teachers, had an approval rating of 59 percent. Fifteen percent were undecided, while 26 percent felt the governor has not done a good enough job.
Looking at Republicans as a whole, the voters interviewed felt the job of the GOP has been less than ideal. A staggering 65 percent disapprove of the job the Republicans are doing, while just 23 percent approve.
Among the issues brought to the table that President Donald Trump and Congress should address, the top three for voters were enforcing immigration laws (33 percent), creating jobs (17 percent) and growing the economy and protecting Second Amendment rights (both at 12 percent).
In the state of Arizona, President Trump has an approval rate of 82 percent, while 14 percent are not pleased with the work he has done in office.
Thirty-five percent of women and 31 percent of men felt enforcing the nation’s immigration laws was the top priority for the president.
When asked what the most important issues and problems Republican candidates should focus on, the major themes for voters were immigration, building the border wall, jobs and cost of health care.
