By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice
Lauren Boebert has more than twice the support of any other candidate in the 4th Congressional District race, according to sentiment polling recently conducted for The Rocky Mountain Voice.
The study, by Media Intelligence Group, in early February found Boebert with 48.7% support, leading Trent Leisy with 17.2%, Richard Holtorf with 13.7% and Mike Lynch with 10%. The remaining 10.4% in the study was split by the remaining six candidates in the race at that time. The study analyzes social media posts to provide accurate public opinion on what is being discussed by voters, not what the media is reporting. Boebert’s lead is 31.5% in the poll.
The report found there are five main issues of importance to voters in the 4th District: illegal immigration, voting rights, government benefits, border security and child and human trafficking.
- Illegal immigration – Sentiment is driven by criticism of resources illegal immigrants consume, and that it is a significant issue that must be addressed.
- Voting rights – The concern toward voter fraud remains, according to the study. The primary belief is only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote.
- Government benefits – Sentiment in the district is largely driven by the belief only U.S. citizens should be eligible to receive government benefits, with the cost of benefits given to illegal immigrants being a concern.
- Border security – Voters were measured to be in strong support of border security measures, including the construction of a border wall and concern with child trafficking.
- Child and human trafficking – A concern toward trafficking generally favors policies which result in more traffickers being arrested.
The heading of the poll concludes “CO-4 is MAGA Country”, indicating candidates supporting deportation of illegal immigrants, constructing a border wall, and restricting voting and government benefits to U.S. citizens only would be most likely to be supported.
Sentiment indicates, unsurprisingly, there is a strong pro-Trump sentiment and specific assimilation to the former President’s platform on election security and accountability. There is also strong criticism of the Biden administration, the study finds, citing specific and intentional harms being done. The study found strong sentiment toward Biden’s actions being treasonous, including concern over terrorists having allegedly entered the country and the appointment of John Podesta as a climate diplomat.
Leisy and Holtorf each had significant gains during the polling, with Mike Lynch’s support tapering, possibly caused by the timing of the public reporting of his DUI arrest.
Other issues of importance in the district included Ukraine and the military charting above 60%. The high ranking of the military might have assisted Holorf, who was a U.S. Army colonel, but Lynch also served in the Army. The ideologies of candidates ranked as the third-highest interest in the study, charting above 50%. Remaining issues of interest charting at or above 40% include immigration, the economy, security and the border. Issues related to the President fell just below 40% on the interest study.
The study uses artificial intelligence tools and large language models to present real-time public sentiment according to geographic and other demographic segmentation.