Early Republican Party Survey Shows DeMaio in Lead for Congressional Match

Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio led Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, by 10 points in a poll of a hypothetical congressional match next year, it was reported Wednesday.

According to Roll Call, a publication that covers Congress, the survey commissioned by the Republican Party showed DeMaio with 49 percent support, compared to 39 percent for Peters.

Last fall, DeMaio lost a race for San Diego mayor to Democrat Bob Filner.

Peters, who had been serving on the Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners and lives in La Jolla, ousted Brian Bilbray of the GOP in a tight congressional race that wasn't decided until about a week after the election.

Roll Call reported that the poll specifically mentioned that DeMaio is gay, but would prefer to concentrate on fixing the federal government's finances instead of on social causes. DeMaio supported gay rights issues when they came up during his one term on the City Council, but not usually in a leadership role.

The survey of 404 likely voters taken April 22-24 in the 52nd Congressional District found 51 percent with a favorable impression of DeMaio, with 28 percent unfavorable. The poll had a 4.9 percent margin of error.

The article said the poll takers believe DeMaio could run successfully in the competitive district by positioning himself as a "new generation" Republican.

—City News Service