Cannon rival lacks name recognition
"That doesn't bother me at all," Jacob said. "Do you know why? We advertised to convention delegates until just recently. No one else would know who John Jacob is."
Cannon led in the new poll, with 48 percent of those surveyed by Dan Jones & Associates saying they likely would vote for Cannon if the primary were held today.
Though many didn't know him, 28 percent said they likely would choose Jacob over Cannon, and 25 percent were undecided.
"Among the very conservative and the strong Republicans, Cannon has a larger lead," pollster Dan Jones said. "So much of the support for Mr. Jacob is those who oppose Mr. Cannon."
"It's almost like people would rather vote for me because they just don't like Chris," Jacob said. "I'm not sure if it's Chris or if they feel Congress isn't doing the job."
Cannon expressed concern and offered a similar explanation.
Jacob spent $250,000 of his own money to woo 1,100 Republican delegates, who handed him a shocking victory over Cannon three weeks ago at the state party convention. There, Jacob edged Cannon, 52 percent to 48 percent, a setback for the five-term incumbent that earned the attention of Rush Limbaugh and others on the national stage.
Merrill Cook finished third at the convention and was eliminated from the race.
Jacob said he is prepared to spend more to improve his name recognition while Cannon expressed concern about anti-incumbent antipathy.
"We're going to go out on radio, direct mail and possibly some television," Jacob said.
How much might he spend in this face-off between millionaires?
"I don't believe I have that answer," Jacob said. "I'm now closer to $350,000. I'll probably put another $100,000 to $300,000 in. If it takes more, I'll put it in."
Of the 307 surveyed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week, 45 percent had a favorable impression of Cannon and 36 percent had an unfavorable impression. The poll had a margin of error plus or minus 6.5 percent.
Both men said the illegal immigration debate is a key issue in the race.
"About $300,000 to $400,000 got spent a couple of years ago telling people I wasn't for closing the border," Cannon said. "Those myths die hard."
Jacob also hopes to score points on energy and the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which was designed to make schools accountable for the success of each student.
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