Rochester, N.Y.— A cursory glance throughout the Park Avenue neighborhood shows a plethora of signs showing support for Democratic Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.
However, you won’t find one of those signs on David Jenson’s lawn; instead there’s a bright red Maggie Brooks sign. He is not the slightest bit worried about a recent Siena College poll that shows a ten point lead for Slaughter in the race for the redrawn 25th Congressional District.
“Not at this stage, not a bit,” Jenson said.
He questioned the sample of people surveyed in an area that’s largely democratic.
“It’s a lopsided poll. Absolutely, I guarantee it, a lopsided poll,” Jensen said.
A few yards from Jenson’s property, sits the Rosen family. Margery Rosen says the poll is a good early indicator of the area’s largest local race.
“I think that people perhaps understand that Louise’s experience is going to be so valuable in Washington,” Rosen said.
These voters have their minds made up.
That is not the case with Rod Proulx of Webster. “What I need to do is study and become a much more informed voter,” said Proulx.
Webster is a new part of the reconfigured district. Proulx is in the information gathering part of candidate research, but like many is fascinated by what he already knows about Slaughter and Brooks.
“It is interesting because both candidates are pretty strong. Maggie’s history in the county speaks for itself. Certainly, Louise’s history in the legislature speaks for itself,” Proulx said.
Despite the polls, Proulx said he will spend some time researching both candidates before making his choice.
“I’m very gratified by it,” said Louise Slaughter (D-Fairport) of the Siena College poll.
“Parts of the district are new, that I haven’t represented. I hope to win this election and get to know them better.”
In response to the poll, Republican Maggie Brooks said the result comes as no surprise.
“We've known all along that we were the underdog in this race,” said Brooks.
The Monroe County Executive went on to say that she feels her campaign is “well positioned” to make strides as the race continues.
