Poll has Melton leading mayor’s race
Challenger Frank Melton leads two-term Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. with more than 60 percent favoring him in a poll conducted for Jackson television station WJTV-Channel 12.
To the question, “Who would make a better mayor?” 64 percent of the 783 registered voters named Melton. Thirty percent chose Johnson and 6 percent were undecided.
Melton skipped an opportunity to debate Johnson Thursday night at the Jackson Medical Mall.
Melton, Johnson and Annell Smith face off in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The winner will meet Republican Rick Whitlow in the June 7 general election.
“We’re encouraged by the results but not complacent,” said Carolyn Redd, Melton’s campaign manager. “The toughest days of campaigning are going to be the next four days.”
New York-based SurveyUSA conducted the poll on April 26-27. The company said the margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 3.4 percent.
A disclaimer on the poll said: “This is not a survey of likely voters and does not attempt to forecast the outcome of the Tuesday 5/3/05 mayoral primary.”
Clarion Ledger
4/29/5
Magnolia Tribune
