Dennis Ross challenger Alan Cohn says poll shows him in contention (original) (raw)

Democrat Alan Cohn, who is challenging Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland, is promoting a poll that says he's "in a position" to defeat the two-term Republican.

Cohn, a former TV journalist, lags Ross by 7 points, 35-42 with 23 percent undecided, according to the Anzalone Liszt Grove Research survey.

"However, after reading balanced paragraphs on each candidate, Cohn trails by only -2 points and is statistically tied, within the survey’s margin of error (45% Cohn / 47% Ross / 8% undecided). In the informed vote, Alan Cohn opens a +10 point lead in Hillsborough County and a +17 point lead among registered NPA and minor party voters. This coalition can help Cohn overcome the slight Republican tilt the district has shown in recent years."

Cohn's optimism, however, has yet to grab the attention of state and national party leaders and Ross is an experienced politician facing a novice.

The June 5-8 poll by the Democratic firm included 400 live telephone interviews on landlines and cellphones with likely 2014 voters in the 15th Congressional District. Interviews were conducted between June 5-8, 2014. MOE is ±4.9%, according to Anzalone.

The "balanced paragraphs" on Cohn and Ross are below:

Alan Cohn is a Democrat from Tampa. He is an Emmy award-winning investigative reporter who covered Hillsborough and Polk Counties with WFTS Channel 28. As a reporter, Cohn uncovered the biggest case of political corruption in the last decade. He has always stood up for consumers and veterans. Cohn says he's running for Congress because he wants to fight for middle class families, so they have a level playing field to succeed. In Congress, he will work to create jobs, balance the budget, raise the minimum wage, invest in education, and protect Medicare and Social Security benefits.

Dennis Ross, a Republican from Lakeland, is the current member of Congress. Ross has spent his entire career fighting for greater transparency and accountability in government, and is leading the fight to reduce wasteful spending. Ross believes in growing the economy by cutting taxes, through fiscal responsibility, and repealing Obamacare. Ross says he is running for Congress to stand up for taxpayers and job creators, oppose the big government Obama-Pelosi policies, and to represent Florida values in Washington.