Business Owners are still Undecided on their Choice for Commander in Chief
By Guidant Financial, Special for USDR
Guidant Financial and MyCorporation surveyed more than 1,000 of their small business clients across the country to find out what’s important to them in the 2016 presidential election. Findings reveal that business owners are still undecided on their choice for Commander in Chief. The survey, conducted from April 27 – May 2, asked entrepreneurs about their top choice for president, which candidate best addresses the needs of small business owners, and what issues are most important to them when choosing a candidate.
While 94 percent of small business owners plan to vote in the general election, only 55 percent have chosen a candidate. What’s more, 87 percent of respondents do not feel that candidates have addressed small business issues enough in the campaign thus far. These findings present an opportunity for candidates to relate to the small business community before the November election.
Findings reveal that the Republican frontrunner remains the top choice for small business owners, due to prior business experience. In fact, 44 percent believe that the Republican candidate best addresses the needs of small business owners. If the election were held today, the majority of respondents would choose the Republican candidate, with only 19 percent voting for the Democratic frontrunner. Nearly 40 percent of respondents say the Democratic frontrunner is the worst choice for president, with 65 percent replying that this candidate is the most dishonest in the race.
When it comes to policy issues, 63 percent of small business owners say the economy is the most important factor when considering a candidate. When asked what policy would best support their business, 52 percent chose “strengthening the economy,” while 41 percent say tax hikes would hurt their business the most. Opinions about minimum wage increases are stark – 40 percent of Republican respondents and only 14 percent of Democratic respondents say minimum wage increases would hurt their small business.
Broken down by gender, 44 percent of men and 40 percent of women would vote for the Republican frontrunner if the election were held today. Forty-six percent of male respondents and 38 percent of female respondents think the Republican frontrunner best addresses the needs of small business owners. What’s surprising, though, is that the majority of women (33 percent) also chose the Republican frontrunner as the worst choice for president.
When broken down by ethnicity, the Democratic and Republican frontrunners are tied among Hispanic voters, yet they believe the Republican candidate best addresses the needs of small business owners. Thirty-eight percent of Hispanic respondents say tax hikes would hurt their business the most. The Republican frontrunner is the top choice for president among Caucasian (46 percent), Asian (40 percent), and Native American (63 percent) respondents.
Among black voters, 59 percent of respondents would vote for the Democratic candidate if the election were held today. Fifty-seven percent of black respondents think the Republican frontrunner is the worst choice for president.
About Guidant Financial
Guidant Financial works with entrepreneurs to identify, evaluate and deploy intelligent business financing strategies. Their services include, but are not limited to, rollovers as business start-ups (ROBS), SBA loans, unsecured credit and portfolio loans. Visit Guidant on the web at guidantfinancial.com.
About MyCorporation
For over 16 years, MyCorporation.com has helped small business clients incorporate businesses and form LLCs in a reliable and affordable manner. If you’re ready to start your own business, give MyCorporation a call at 877-692-6772 Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT or visit www.mycorporation.com.
SOURCE Guidant Financial