POLL SHOWS JOHN KOSTER IS THE CLEAR FRONTRUNNER IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ONE

KOSTER HAS A COMMANDING LEAD

April 3, 2012 - The Koster for Congress campaign announced results today of a March 24-27 *poll showing that John Koster is the clear frontrunner in the race for the congressional seat in Washington's newly drawn 1^st Congressional District.  

Koster, a Snohomish County Councilman, begins his campaign in a position of real strength relative to his opponents, with higher name identification, and a commanding lead in ballot testing.   

Here is how the numbers shake out when likely voters were asked the following question:  If the election were held today for whom would you vote?     

37% - John Koster

4% -   Laura Ruderman

11% - Darcy Burner

4% -   Steve Hobbs

3% -   Suzan DelBene

1% -   Darshan Rauniyar

1 % -  Roger Goodman

39% - Not sure/refused

The polling data also reveal a number of points about the new district's current political environment that are very encouraging for John Koster's success in the upcoming August primary, and set him up well for a competitive November general election.    

For weeks, political insiders have discussed whether the newly drawn district, which is 2/3rds rural, favors a Republican or a Democrat. The poll shows that the overall issue constellation favors a conservative leaning candidate - from issues of top concern, to Medicare reform, and control of Congress. For example, a whopping 65% of the electorate disagree with President Obama's decision to shut down construction on the Keystone Pipeline.

The new boundaries of the 1^st congressional district encircle a large and diverse geographical area, taking in urban and rural areas of east King County, as well as the rural areas of east Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties from the Canadian border to the north, to the Cascade Crest trail to the east, and to Interstate 90 to the south.

Click here to view a map of the newly drawn Washington State congressional districts.     

As a businessman and public servant, John Koster has the right experience to represent the 1^st Congressional District. John was a three term State Representative in Olympia, where he earned a reputation as a budget hawk and a fiscal watchdog. During his time in the legislature, John was responsible for organizing the Washington Conservative Caucus, where he worked with other legislators to lower taxes, cut spending, and eliminate excessive regulations.      

*The polling firm Dresner, Wickers Barber, Sanders fielded the surevey March 24 - 27, 2012 among 400 residents of Washington State's newly re-districted 1^st US Congressional District, both registered and considered likely to vote in this August's primary election. Respondents were selected using random digit dialing from voter sample, and the sample was stratified to reflect regional proportionate share of the electorate. A 52% female, 48% male quota was enforced for this study. The margin of error, at .95 confidence, is +/- 4%. The poll was paid for by Koster for Congress 2012.