The two Republican candidates vying for North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District seat are claiming early leads in what is shaping up to be a fierce primary race.
David Rouzer, who narrowly lost to incumbent Mike McIntyre in the 2012 election, issued a press release Thursday claiming a lead of 55 percent to 19 percent over fellow Republican Woody White, who countered with his own release later in the day.
Citing a Public Opinion Strategies poll conducted Jan. 20 and 21, Rouzer’s release said he leads White by 36 points and has a name recognition of 85 percent with voters across the district. The release also said Rouzer, a former state senator from Johnston County, has a 47 percent favorable rating among primary voters in the district.
“Rouzer leads handily and enjoys strong name recognition in both the Wilmington and Raleigh media markets,” Rouzer’s release said, adding that Rouzer leads White in the Wilmington market by 19 points and has a name recognition of 87 percent compared to 67 percent for White. The release said Rouzer leads White 71 percent to 4 percent in the Raleigh market and has a name recognition of 86 percent compared to 18 percent for White.
Tyler Foote, Rouzer’s campaign manager, is quoted in the release as saying: “The results of this poll reflect what we’ve heard around the district—voters in Southeastern North Carolina are ready for the fresh ideas and energetic conservative leadership they know David Rouzer will bring to Washington.”
White, the current chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, countered with a release that cited a poll by The Wickers Group conducted Jan. 7-9 that showed White closer to Rouzer in both media markets.
The poll showed White with 30 percent in Wilmington compared to 34 percent for Rouzer, while the Raleigh market saw White with 12 percent compared to 45 percent for Rouzer. The poll showed White ahead of Rouzer in New Hanover County (35 percent to 31 percent) and behind Rouzer in Brunswick County (28 percent to 32 percent) and Johnston County (13 percent to 54 percent).
“Despite Rouzer spending millions running for Congress the last three years, Woody White begins this campaign statistically dead-even or ahead of Rouzer in the largest media market and in two of the three largest counties in the district,” Bob Wickers of The Wickers group says in the poll findings.
Noting White started campaigning less than a month ago, Wickers adds: “Rouzer’s support is extremely soft and disappears once Republican primary voters learn more about Woody White and his conservative record.”
The release quotes White as saying: “Our base of support is strong and large, while my opponent’s base is weak and small—a tremendous advantage for us. We are encouraged by these numbers.”
McIntyre, who has represented the 7th Congressional District for nearly two decades, announced he will retire at the end of this term. New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, a Democrat, is also running for the district seat.
Related stories:
- Related story: McIntyre to retire at end of term
- White declares candidacy for McIntyre seat; joins field that includes fellow New Hanover commissioner
- Barfield announces intention to run for McIntyre’s congressional seat
Jonathan Spiers is a reporter for Port City Daily. He can be reached at (910) 772-6313 or [email protected]. On Twitter: @jrspiers
