Former Democratic candidate Andrew Westall, a Los Angeles City Hall staffer who dropped out of the race last month, ranked second in the Gatto poll, with 9%, ahead of Nahabedian’s 8%.
But when poll participants were read statements detailing each candidates’ experience, the results from each camp showed their candidates gaining ground.
The Nahabedian poll showed her gaining 7% — more than other candidates — after survey participants heard more about her and others in the race, while the Gatto poll showed him gaining 17%, also more than other candidates.
The results were hammered by both camps.
“It’s an absurdity,” Eric Hacopian, a consultant for the Nahabedian campaign, said of the Gatto poll, arguing that it could not be trusted because it was commissioned by his campaign.
The Nahabedian poll, he said, was more representative because a current elected representative would likely have more name recognition and support than an attorney.
Gatto campaign representatives, in turn, disputed the findings of the Nahabedian survey.
“I don’t know what they’re doing to get her to be leading by 7%,” said Mike Shimpock, a spokesman for Gatto.
Although the Gatto poll shows him improving to 26% of votes once participants hear a second description of him and the other candidates, his campaign argued that it was an accurate representation because of the dynamics of the election.
“Nayiri doesn’t really have as much of a base,” Shimpock said. “She’s from Glendale and theoretically she should have an Armenian base, but in reality she doesn’t. She splits that vote with [Republican Sunder Ramani] and [Democrat Chahe Keuroghelian].”
