![Secretary of State’s Poll Shows Tight Race for Second Run-off Spot](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/11/vote-today.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Secretary of State’s Poll Shows Tight Race for Second Run-off Spot
A new poll for the Secretary of State’s special election in November is out, with Democrat Renee Fontenot Free (22%)in the lead, followed by Republicans Julie Stokes and Rick Edmonds (11%). Edmonds commissioned the JMC Analytics poll.
Pollster John Couvillon says a Democrat leading a red state isn’t surprising, considering there are five republicans running.
"Gwen" Collins-Greenup received 4% in the poll. Republican interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is at 3%. Couvillon says Ardoin’s late entry into the race has him chasing the pack.
"When he announced at the last minute of qualifying, he didn't have an election infrastructure pre-built, in essence he's playing catch-up," said Couvillon
Republican Heather Cloud is at 2% and AG Crowe is at 1%.
It’s still early, and candidates are reportedly having a difficult time raising money for the nominally non-partisan position that oversees state elections. Couvillon says the lack of name recognition has many voters unsure who they support.
"50% of the vote is undecided," said Couvillon.
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