NEW POLL: Ahead of Key Senate Votes, Gun Debate In NH Senate Race Is Reigniting Among Voters, Support for Kelly Ayotte Is Slipping, & 89 Percent Support of Voters Closing the Terror Gap

June 20, 2016

June 20, 2016– As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on critical gun violence prevention measures this Monday, June 20, new research conducted on behalf of Americans for Responsible Solutions, the national gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, found that as the gun debate reignites and voters hear more about Kelly Ayotte’s record of voting against background checks, ARS PAC-endorsed candidate Maggie Hassan’s lead is growing. The research also found that 89 percent of Granite State voters support closing the loophole that lets known and suspected terrorists legally buy guns.

Coming immediately on the heels of Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) PAC’s ad campaign to hold Ayotte accountable on her vote against gun background checks for felons and domestic abusers, the new polling finds that Senator Ayotte’s unfavorability among likely New Hampshire voters is increasing and her support slipping. The research finds Governor Hassan’s lead over Ayotte has increased from two points to four points from May. This shift comes as the debate over guns has intensified, and ARS’ communications to voters have shifted the conversation dramatically: the number of voters who know that 9 out of 10 people in New Hampshire support background checks has increased from 9 percent to 21 percent, and more than half (52 percent) now know about the significant contributions that Ayotte has taken from the gun lobby, a 7-point gain.

“Granite Staters have made it pretty clear they support closing loopholes to help keep guns out of the wrong hands, and they’re looking for a Senator who will do the same,” said ARS PAC Political Director Zach Stewart. “As New Hampshire voters hear about Senator Ayotte’s record of voting the way the gun lobby tells her to, they’re looking for real leadership on gun violence prevention – and they know that isn’t her.”

KEY SURVEY FINDINGS (CLICK HERE FOR A FULL MEMO ON THE RESEARCH) :

89 percent of New Hampshire voters support closing the loopholes that let known and suspected terrorists legally purchase firearms: Even in an often-divided electorate, 89 percent of New Hampshire voters support prohibiting any known or suspected terrorists from buying guns; 80 percent strongly support the measure.
Guns increasingly dominate the debate about Ayotte: In late May, when voters described what they had seen or heard about Ayotte recently, the Supreme Court and her failure to support a vote for the nominee rose to the top of the conversation. But now that the debate over guns has intensified and ARS’ communications to voters about Ayotte’s opposition to background checks have hit the airwaves, the conversation has shifted dramatically:

Specifically, elements of the ad released by ARS have broken through with voters in the three short weeks during which the ad has aired: the number of voters who know that 9 out of 10 people in New Hampshire support background checks has increased from 9 percent to 21 percent, and more than half (52 percent) now know about the significant contributions that Ayotte has taken from the gun lobby, a 7-point gain.

Hassan leads Ayotte by four points: Consistent with other public polls, Ayotte and Hassan remain locked in a close race. However, while most surveys show the two women trading the lead by a point or two, Hassan now leads Ayotte 49-45 percent. In a survey conducted in May prior to significant advertising by ARS, Hassan led 45-43 percent.

Ayotte’s standing has slipped: At the end of May, more voters had positive impressions of Senator Ayotte than negative ones (48-41 percent favorable/unfavorable). Now, three weeks later, her standing has diminished as voters split with 45 percent favorable and 46 percent unfavorable.