A new independent poll by The Detroit News-WDIV has confirmed that Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero does indeed have his work cut out for him in his bid to defeat Republican Rick Snyder for the governor’s seat.
A week after Bernero’s victory in the Democratic primary, the poll showed that Snyder holds a commanding 51 percent to 32 percent edge over Bernero, according to the Detroit News.
While Bernero was behind House Speaker Andy Dillon in the polls 10 points or more for most of the Democratic primary, this will certainly be a tougher gap to overcome. Pollster Richard Czuba contends Bernero’s negatives are much higher than Snyder's; some voters don’t respond favorably to his “angry mayor” persona.
Building name recognition for Bernero may not be the answer. Bernero’s name recognition among voters (80 percent) already is close to Snyder’s (88 percent). According to the poll, even if Bernero converts all the undecideds to his corner -- 18 percent in the poll -- he still comes out the loser.
Still, much can change in nearly three months before voters decide.
