A poll commissioned by ForestPAC, the political arm of the Alabama Forestry Association (AFA), shows that former Business Council of Alabama head Katie Britt has retaken the lead over the three-candidate GOP primary field.
The poll was conducted by McLaughlin & Associates May 2-5 and consisted of 500 likely Republican primary voters. Respondents were interviewed evenly between landline, cellphone and text message.
Poll results are as follows:
- Katie Britt — 38.6%
- Mike Durant — 27.4%
- Mo Brooks — 22.0%
- Undecided — 12.0%
McLaughlin & Associates, a nationally renowned polling firm routinely utilized by former President Donald Trump’s inner circle, conducted a poll in early March which showed that Durant had taken a slight lead. A series of polls released shortly after confirmed the U.S. Army veteran’s upward trend, with a poll conducted in late March showing that Durant held a 10-point lead over Britt.
Durant has since been the subject of a heavy negative ad campaign. The newly released polling shows that the ads could be working in favor of the Britt campaign.
According to the poll, 80.6% of respondents had been exposed to Durant-related content, which left 42.4% of voters saying that made them less likely to vote for him.
The poll shows that more Republicans view Durant as being liberal or moderate than they do Britt. Additionally, 52.2% of respondents view Britt as being conservative while 43.4% view Durant as being conservative.
When asked which candidate would be more supportive of Trump’s “America First” agenda as senator, Brooks was the leading response. The North Alabama congressman was also the leading response when voters were asked who they believed to be “an establishment Republican.”
When asked who would be best on issues related to illegal immigration, the Second Amendment, and the economy, Britt emerged as the prevailing choice. She was also a double-digit favorite among voters when they were posed the question as to who would best represent “conservative Alabama values” as senator.
The Brooks-aligned Club for Growth Action PAC has made Britt the target of its negative ad campaign throughout the race. With the congressman appearing to be within striking distance of Durant, the group could potentially shift its focus to the former “Black Hawk Down” aviator.
The primary election will take place May 24, 2022. Should no candidate receive more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held June 21, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
