Crisler Surges Ahead
The Malcolm McMillin effect has seemed to have had a positive impact on Marshand Crisler’s run for Mayor in Jackson. In a weeks time Crisler has gone from 3rd to 1st in polling conducted by political consulting firm Zata 3. In last weeks numbers, current Mayor Frank Melton Held a lead over Harvey Johnson, with Crisler polling in 3rd place. Now this week, Crisler has moved ahead of the pack and now holds the lead, according to this article from the Jackson Free Press.
The newest poll was conducted on Friday after Crisler had received the endorsement of McMillin in a public ceremony at the Capitol. The previous poll had been completed just two days prior, which shows a major shift in opinions in a short period of time according to the data.
The big question in all this is how reliable is the polling and can we use it as a true indicator of how people in Jackson are thinking. White voters were oversampled in both polls, which could show a trend toward Crisler. In Melton’s first run for mayor, it’s no secret he got a huge chunk of the white crossover vote which allowed him to unseat incumbent Harvey Johnson. If these polls are any indication Marshand Crisler may be getting that coveted white vote that could make a huge difference come primary time.
There are no reliable conclusions to be drawn from the results because the poll is garbage.