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Boyda runs tight campaign, lagging slightly in own poll
Being outspent and running an unconventional campaign, Democrat Nancy Boyda trails Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun by two percentage points in a race for the 2nd congressional district seat, according to a poll taken by Boyda.
An internal poll by Boyda's campaign revealed Ryun leading 42 percent to 40 percent, with a four-point margin of error, Boyda told The Fort Scott Tribune in an interview Monday.
The poll, conducted by Infomark, was taken last week and asked 638 respondents in southeast Kansas who they would vote for on Election Day Nov. 7. Responses were compiled over a five-day period. Results flip-flopped from a previous poll taken on Sept. 11, which found Boyda having a two-point lead, 43 percent to 41percent, with a four-point margin of error.
Boyda has kept the race tight despite running an unconventional campaign and getting hammered by an onslaught of negative ads by Ryun, a Lawrence Republican, in recent weeks. Boyda said by sticking to the issues, she has confidence voters will send her to Washington. Boyda said the drop in the polls not outside the margin of error means that "I think people are sick and tired of what has gone on. We're down to those 30-second sound bites that are killing our democracy."
The Topeka resident is being outspent nearly 2 to 1 by Ryun, as evident by a recent Ryun fund-raising rally that had Vice President Dick Cheney as the keynote speaker. It generated around $200,000. Ryun is seeking his sixth term. Boyda is seeking her first term.
Boyda has run a cost-effective campaign relying on few television ads and more published material inserted into newspapers in the area. In fact, her campaign distributed two tabloid-style publications describing the issues. About 200,000 copies were circulated.
Her campaign fund is less than it was in 2004 in which Ryun beat her by a 15-point margin. In that race, she spent around $1 million, mainly relying on funding from the Democratic Party. This time, she did not contact the Democratic Party for financial support, saying that she does not want to be "beholden to them," when she gets into office, Boyda said.
"We have to have a discussion about the issues, and we want to run a positive campaign," Boyda said.
For instance, reporters have asked her to comment on various allegations of corruption surrounding Ryun. Boyda said her campaign has repeatedly declined to detail the alleged revelations of corruption, rather focusing on issues and suggesting reporters look up the information.
"If we don't get something done in our county, we are going to run into brick walls that are going to hurt badly," she said.
Many Democratic candidates challenging incumbent Republicans have said their opponents are merely signing off on a majority of President Bush's policies and stances on issues. Boyda said Ryun is no different, siding with Bush on key issues.