Early poll favours Katz for mayor

A new pollsuggests WinnipegMayor Sam Katz has a sizeable lead in voter support heading into October's civic election.

According to the results of the Probe Research/Winnipeg Free Press poll, 51 per cent of those asked said they supported Katz.

The poll, whichtook place March 8-25,asked603 Winnipeg adults via telephone who they would support in a hypothetical race for mayor.

Scott Mackay, president ofProbe Research,said Katz's lead is substantial but not surprising for an incumbent.

If New Democratic MPJudy Wasylycia-Leis decides to run for mayor, she could be a significant challenger, Mackay said.

Wasylycia-Leis received the support ofslightly more thanone in three respondents.

"It is substantial when you consider that this figure emerges at a time when she hasn't even declared herself formally as a candidate," Mackay said. "Presumably in the context of an actual campaign, her numbers would rise because she will have had the chance to mobilize her troops and get the themes of her campaign out."

Wasylycia-Leis, 58, has represented Winnipeg North in Ottawa since 1997. She was also a cabinet minister in the Manitoba government of Howard Pawley from 1986 to 1988.

According to Wasylycia-Leis, she has been urged by a number of people to take aim at municipal politics and challenge Katz.

Mackay said the poll results suggestsupport for Katz is strong among affluent Winnipeg men, and support for Wasylycia-Leis is strong among less affluent women.

Participantsin the poll could also chooseCoun. Russ Wyatt, who received seven per cent support; Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Dave Angus, who received five per cent support; andCoun. Lillian Thomas, who received two per cent support.

Only Thomas and Katz haveofficially announced their candidacy.

About one-quarter of the poll's respondentswere undecided about who they would support for mayor.

Winnipeg'scivic election is slated for Oct. 27.