According to a new poll, conducted by Dr. Verne Kennedy of Market Research Insight and on behalf of Ben Morris, Slidell Mayor Ben Morris and Louisiana State Senator Steve Scalise are well ahead of other competitors and likely to face each other in a runoff in the First Congressional District.  However, the poll does not list former Governor Dave Treen who has run for the office previously and lost a close race against David Vitter.  According to sources, Treen is a candidate for the race.   All of the individuals named in the poll are Republicans.

The poll also shows an uncertain percentage of 33%.  The First Congressional District has been occupied by current Governor, Bobby Jindal and previously by current U.S. Senator David Vitter and Bob Livingston.

The poll conducted January 8th and 9th on behalf of the Morris campaign and is reportedly the most recent survey to be released and is the only poll to come after the announcement by Parish President Kevin Davis that he would not run for Congress.

In a head-to-head survey, Mayor Morris and Scalise are statically tied with 22% and 27% respectively. The press release states that State Representative Tim Burns and Councilman John Young trail significantly with 6% and 12% respectively.

The press release states that “Ben Morris should be very pleased with these results,” said Dr. Kennedy. “His high positive name ID reflects his years of hard work and no-nonsense approach to governing. These are extremely impressive numbers for a local mayor. When you combine his name ID and the fact that he represents the most populous city on the Northshore, things look very good for the Morris campaign.”

Below is the poll

SURVEY NAME: LOUISIANA 1st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SURVEY

SAMPLE SIZE: 300 LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS

FIELD DATES: JANUARY 8 – 9, 2008

JOB NUMBER:08110

Hello, my name is ______________________ with MRI. We do not sell anything; we just

conduct various types of opinion surveys. Tonight we are conducting a public opinion

survey among registered Republican voters concerning the Special Election to elect a

new Congressman to replace Bobby Jindal who was elected Governor. Results are

completely confidential.

Do you or does anyone in this household work for:

The news media? (IF YES, POLITELY TERMINATE)

Advertising or public relations? (IF YES, POLITELY TERMINATE)

A marketing research firm? (IF YES, POLITELY TERMINATE)

Is an elected public official or works

directly for one? (IF YES, POLITELY TERMINATE)

1. In which Louisiana Parish do you live?

PARISH

Jefferson 36%

Orleans 5%

St. Charles 2%

St. Tammany 35%

Tangipahoa 16%

Washington 6%

2. As I read a list of names, please tell whether or not you are familiar with

each name. If you have never heard the name just say so. (RANDOM ORDER)

The first/next name is Tim Burns. (IF RECOGNIZE, ASK…) Do you have a

favorable or unfavorable opinion of him?

TIM BURNS NAME RECOGNITION

No Recognition 75%

Favorable Recognition 12%

Neutral Recognition 11%

Unfavorable Recognition 2%

Total Awareness 25%

Hard Opinion Recognition 14%

Ratio Favorable/Unfavorable 6.0:1

3. The first/next name is Ben Morris. (IF RECOGNIZE, ASK…) Do you have a

favorable or unfavorable opinion of him?

BEN MORRIS NAME RECOGNITION

No Recognition 41%

Favorable Recognition 35%

Neutral Recognition 17%

Unfavorable Recognition 7%

Total Awareness 59%

Hard Opinion Recognition 42%

Ratio Favorable/Unfavorable 5.0:1

4. The first/next name is Steve Scalise. (IF RECOGNIZE, ASK…) Do you have a

favorable or unfavorable opinion of him?

STEVE SCALISE NAME RECOGNITION

No Recognition 38%

Favorable Recognition 36%

Neutral Recognition 22%

Unfavorable Recognition 4%

Total Awareness 62%

Hard Opinion Recognition 40%

Ratio Favorable/Unfavorable 9.0:1

5. The first/next name is John Young. (IF RECOGNIZE, ASK…) Do you have a

favorable or unfavorable opinion of him?

JOHN YOUNG NAME RECOGNITION

No Recognition 56%

Favorable Recognition 23%

Neutral Recognition 16%

Unfavorable Recognition 5%

Total Awareness 44%

Hard Opinion Recognition 28%

Ratio Favorable/Unfavorable 4.6:1

6. Since Bobby Jindal was elected Governor, the 1st Congressional District will need to elect a person to complete his term. Louisiana will conduct this election forCongress in Party Primaries like most states. In a Republican Primary for

Congress held today, which candidate would you favor (RANDOM ORDER) Tim

Burns, Ben Morris, Steve Scalise, and John Young?

TRIAL HEAT

Tim Burns 6%

Ben Morris 22%

Steve Scalise 27%

John Young 12%

Uncertain 33%

7. Thank you, that completes the opinion section of the survey. Now, a few

questions for demographic purposes and we’ll be finished.

8. Which of the following categories includes your age? Just stop me when I get to

the right one. (READ CATEGORIES)

VOTER AGE

18-29 Years 4%

30-44 Years 21%

45-59 Years 39%

60 Years & Over 37%

9. Which of the following categories includes your annual household income?

When I read the correct category, just tell me.

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Under $20,000 5%

$20,000 to $39,999 12%

$40,000 to $59,999 21%

$60,000 to $100,000 27%

Over $100,000 35%

10. And, your gender is male or female? (CONTINUE WITH...) Are you employed

outside the home?

GENDER AND EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Employed Male 33%

Not Employed Male 16%

Employed Female 29%

Not Employed Female 23%

This concludes our survey. Thank you for your time.