A New OPB Poll Shows Ted Wheeler and Steve Novick Could Face Runoff Opponents

Kenneth Huey

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Portland's mayor's race just got its second look at polling, and it's pretty similar to the first.

As with a KATU poll released in early April, polling results commissioned by Oregon Public Broadcasting recently show state Treasurer Ted Wheeler with a commanding lead in the race to be the city's top elected official. Among 402 likely Portland voters surveyed, Wheeler has 33 percent support, OPB reports. That's less than the 38 percent found in the KATU poll, but still a sizable lead over Multnomah County Commissioner Jules Bailey, who notched 9 percent of support (he had 8 percent in the last one).

As in April a large segment of voters are still undecided about who they'll vote for—a little less than 40 percent. None of the race's 13 other candidates have even 5 percent of support, the OPB poll found. Bruce Broussard, a frequent candidate and restauranteur who's been minimally visible this campaign season, had 4 percent of the vote, the poll says. Cafe owner and Portland State University employee Sarah Iannarone had 2 percent.

If nothing changes, the results paint a scenario where Wheeler and Bailey will head into a runoff in November. If Wheeler manages to snag over 50 percent of the vote between now and next Tuesday, however, Portland has its next mayor.

OPB also polled voters on the race for Commissioner Steve Novick's seat on Portland City Council. The poll showed Novick has roughly 24 percent support, while his nearest competitors, architect Stuart Emmons and realtor Fred Stewart, have 4 percent. Once again, a huge proportion of voters are undecided.

Check out OPB for a more-detailed rundown. And for god's sake vote. Here are our endorsements.