She got the support of 59 percent of the black voters contacted in the survey, but only 9 percent of the white voters. She also posted the highest name recognition with 83 percent. But respondents gave her the most unfavorable name recognition, though it was a relatively slight 12 percent. Among women, she received 26 percent support to Ross' s 42 percent. That's her base.
Race is an important factor in politics in America today.
Smith served in the state House from 1991 to 1998. She was the 1998 Democratic nominee against Dickey and was defeated by him 57.5 percent to 42.5 percent. As to why Dickey was vulnerable, Mason-Dixon noted that the incumbent's unfavorable rating has jumped to 27 percent from 19 percent just before the 1998 general election. Dickey has the highest favorable rating among the five candidates at 44 percent. But that's down 14 percent since 1998.