From Deseret News archives:

Workman sinks like a rock in new poll

Published: Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004 12:19 a.m. MDT
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Embattled Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman's political stock is dropping like a rock as a new poll shows her 30 points behind her Democratic challenger, who is picking up support from Republicans.

According to a Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll conducted this week by Dan Jones & Associates, Workman not only trails Democrat Peter Corroon but independent candidate Merrill Cook as well in her re-election campaign.

How bad are the numbers? Even if every undecided voter went for Workman, she would still lose by a wide margin.

Forty-three percent of respondents say they would vote for Corroon if the election were held today, with 20 percent for Cook, 12 percent for Workman and 22 percent undecided.

What's more, a whopping 68 percent of respondents say Workman should attempt to withdraw from the race (state law requires that she have a doctor certify her as mentally or physically unable to continue) and let the Republican Party name another candidate.

Workman's response Friday: "Ouch."

Her precipitous drop against a little-known Democrat isn't too surprising given that Workman has been charged with two felonies and placed on administrative leave this week. But her supporters say this might be the worst of it.

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"She's probably at the very lowest point she can be at," said Salt Lake County Republican Party chairwoman Tiani Coleman. "She's hit bottom, and there's no place to go but up."

While reluctant to close the door on Workman's chances completely, Coleman and other observers said basically the only thing that could save Workman's campaign at this point is if she were tried and acquitted before Nov. 2, an extreme long shot that Workman's attorney Greg Skordas is nonetheless attempting.

"I guess if she were found innocent of the charges by the court, many of the Republicans would go home — vote for her," Jones said.

Jones, who does polling work for Workman as well as several other candidates and entities, maintains that she still has a chance even without acquittal, "slim, but a chance."

"We've never had someone come back from 12 percent, but there are 50 days until the election," he said.

And Workman, who is on administrative leave pending the outcome of her case, has plenty of time to devote to campaigning. The poll found that 47 percent want her to resign from office, now, while 44 percent said she shouldn't resign unless she is found guilty.

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