Released: Sep 18, 2012 1:09 PM

Burlington, VT – Today, Democracy for America (DFA), released poll numbers showing Republican darling, Mary Bono Mack losing ground in the congressional district she has held since 1998. Bono Mack’s favorability has sunk since August, proving once again that Democratic challenger Raul Ruiz can unseat her by holding her under 50% in the most recent polls.

In a poll conducted on September 12 and 13 in California’s 36th Congressional District, found Bono Mack’s favorability underwater 44-41%. Meanwhile, Democratic hopeful Ruiz has gained 6 points in his favorability since August, which is positive news for the campaign on the year anniversary of Ruiz’s announcement for his bid for Congress.

These numbers represent a strong improvement for Raul Ruiz, an ER doctor turned candidate to defend Medicare against Republicans efforts to end the program and give seniors vouchers. While Ruiz remains 3 points behind Bono Mack, Ruiz’s campaign only has room to gain in the polls as Ruiz name recognition among democrats and independents continues to increase.

Ruiz, a candidate named to DFA’s Dean Dozen in August, is one of the organization’s main focus now until Election Day. Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America said, “Ruiz is not only someone who believes in his values and morals, but lives them day in and day out in the Emergency Room. These poll numbers indicate that he’s gaining popularity among voter in California’s 36th District – and it’s no wonder why – he’s the right choice for the district and a fresh voice needed to end the stalemate in Congress.”

Polling was paid for by Democracy for America and was conducted by Public Policy Polling on September 12th and 13th in a survey of 1,281 likely voters in California’s 36th District. The margin of error for this survey was +/- 2.74%.

Earlier this summer, Raul Ruiz was named one of Democracy for America's Dean Dozen. The Dean Dozen is DFA's highest tier of federal endorsement. It is limited to 12 total candidates running for either US House or US Senate and represents the races that DFA will expend the greatest amount of resources on during the 2012 cycle.

A Link to these polling results can be found here http://www.scribd.com/doc/106270179. A memo highlighting these polling results can be found here http://www.scribd.com/doc/106270086.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/press/2962-bono-mack%E2%80%99s-favorability-plummets-democratic-challenger-raul-ruiz-inches-closer-to-upset