A recent poll of Pensacola voters reveals a community grappling with national economic frustrations while maintaining optimism about city leadership and downtown development.
Several readers contacted me about being polled, and when I called around, Quint Studer said he paid for political strategist Steve Schale to coordinate a poll on the pulse of the voters inside Pensacola’s city limits on several issues. Studer said he had been doing community polls with Schale every few years since 2018.
“I learned a lesson during the Community Marine Park referendum to get as much objective feedback as you can,” Studer said. “I also like using a very well-respected professional pollster because they make sure they get a representative of the community. During the Maritime Park debate, the polling was so helpful to let us know what the people were thinking.”
Schale used SEA Polling & Strategic Design to conduct the poll. “I asked people who they really thought was an honest, trustworthy person and not tell you what you wanted to hear,” Studer said, “What amazed me about Steve is when I asked people, heavy Republicans and Democrats, and his name came up most often. He’s well respected by both political parties.
Mixed Feelings About Direction
The survey found that 46% of voters have “mixed” feelings about Pensacola’s direction, while 26% say things are headed in the right direction and 24% say wrong direction.
- This represents a significant shift from 2018, when 60% said the right direction and just 18% said the wrong direction.
- The 2022 results showed 28% right, 20% wrong, and 50% mixed.
According to Schale’s memo, “Voters in Pensacola are not immune to the general dismal mood of voters all over the country.”
Mayor Reeves Gets High Marks
Despite broader anxieties, Mayor D.C. Reeves earned a 52% favorable rating compared to 34% unfavorable. The pollster noted that “there are very few public officials right now that wouldn’t take DC’s numbers right now. He’s done a nice job of navigating a challenging national political environment.”
- President Trump’s job approval in the city is 36% favorable, 64% unfavorable. He was at 42% favorable, 57% unfavorable when we polled it in September 2018, and 33% favorable, 56% unfavorable in 2022.
Economic Concerns Dominate
The availability of good-paying jobs topped the list of voter concerns, with 46% ranking it a 5 on a 1-5 scale. Housing prices came in second at 40%, followed by crime and drugs at 39%.
- The shift in economic anxiety is striking. In 2022, job availability averaged a 3.4 rating; now it’s jumped to 4.16.
- Most telling: 53% of residents are concerned “that I might not be able to afford to live in the City of Pensacola in the future.”
Downtown Development Gets Thumbs Up
Despite economic worries, 61% of voters believe “a vibrant downtown is good for the entire Escambia County economy,” while just 35% think there’s “too much focus on downtown Pensacola.”
- Additionally, 60% agree that “the development in downtown Pensacola is improving the quality of life for me and my neighbors.”
Support for Small Businesses Over Big Corporations
When asked about economic development priorities, 68% of voters said “we build a stronger economy by supporting and investing in local small businesses,” compared to just 27% who favor recruiting corporations.
- Schale concluded: “Voters here are worried. They are worried about their ability to find good work or afford to live here – they are worried about the kind of growth coming to town…and they are concerned whether Pensacola can be a home for their kids.”