BUFFALO (WNED) – The race for Erie County Executive is a dead heat according to a new poll by Siena College Research Institute. The survey shows Republican incumbent Chris Collins leading Democratic challenger Mark Poloncarz 49 percent to 46 percent.
Siena called the results “surprising” and said with a margin of error of 3.4 percent, the race is considered a statistical tie. The survey found 5 percent of those surveyed are undecided.
Poloncarz is encouraged by the numbers.
“These numbers confirm what I have been hearing on the campaign trail all along voters have seen enough of Chris Collins running Erie County like a failed Wall Street business and want a change of leadership,” Poloncarz said.
The Collins Campaign calls the poll inaccurate and claims it has several flaws.
“The fact is, this poll is inaccurate and worthless and simply paints a perception that does not exist. Voters overwhelmingly support the job Chris Collins has done as County Executive,” the campaign said in a written statement.
The Collins camp questions the number of people surveyed in heavily Democratic City of Buffalo and say Republican voters were under surveyed.
The poll was conducted last week and included 831 Erie County voters.
The poll was commissioned by The Buffalo News and WGRZ-TV.
Meanwhile, the candidates are scheduled to debate Thursday night at 9:00 on WNED TV and AM 970.