A poll conducted by one of the leading public opinion research firms in the country shows that Mayor Jimmy Davis holds a massive 28-point lead over his primary opponent in the May election, Jason O’Donnell. According to a polling memo prepared by Global Strategy Group, Mayor Davis’ lead has grown from a 20-point gap recorded in the campaign’s previous poll in June 2017 to his current 28-point advantage (47% Davis, 19% O’Donnell). Additionally, the poll shows that Mayor Davis’ favorability rating has improved significantly over the last nine months, with 63% of likely voters now reporting favorable opinions of the Mayor compared to only 21% unfavorable. Mayor Davis’ net favorability has improved from +31 last June to +42 now, despite a continued barrage of negative, personal attacks from the O’Donnell campaign. 

“Jason O’Donnell has spent the last nine months desperately attacking Mayor Davis, but the simple fact is that Bayonne voters know and like their Mayor and want to see the city continue to be revitalized with the leadership of Team Davis,” said Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski. “We expect the O’Donnell campaign to sink even lower in the next seven weeks, but Mayor Davis is in a stronger position than ever to be re-elected because from the development of MOTBY, to the restoration of city parks to the revitalization of Broadway, Bayonne residents see the progress that is taking place all over our city.” 

The poll shows that despite a well-funded and active campaign, O’Donnell’s net favorability has declined since June and his name identification is completely flat.