Majority of Small Business Owners Leaning Toward Romney, Survey Finds

COLUMBUS, Ohio — With less than three months until the election, the small business community continues to shift their vote to Gov. Mitt Romney, according to a new survey by Manta. The majority (61 percent) of small business owners say they plan to vote for Romney and only 26 percent say they plan to vote for President Barack Obama - down 6 percent since May.

Additionally, the selection of U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan as Republican vice presidential candidate didn't impact the small business owner vote as the majority (58 percent) says they still plan to vote for Romney and 25 percent say Obama still gets their vote. However, Obama may still have a fighting chance with small business owners given that 40 percent say their vote will likely be influenced by how the needs of small businesses are addressed by the candidates during the upcoming Republican and Democratic conventions.

At the same time, small business owners may not be easily swayed, as nearly half (48 percent) say convention-related information will not impact their votes. Only 25 percent of small business owners say that the initiatives discussed during the election will influence their voting decision and just under 20 percent say that the speeches from the presidential candidates at the conventions could sway their vote. Moreover, 38 percent say they are most likely to base their vote on which party best represents itself as most supportive of small business initiatives and growth.

Only 19 percent of small business owners feel Obama and the Democratic Party best support small business, a 7 percent decrease since the last poll in May. Currently, more than half of the respondents (54 percent) say the Republican Party is the biggest supporter of small business.

"While it is critical that the presidential candidates address vital small business issues like tax policy and healthcare at the conventions this year, it's also important that they share concrete examples with the small business community about how proposed initiatives will help them grow their business the rest of year and in the future," said Pamela Springer, CEO of Manta. "With a shaky economy, small businesses are trying to catch up and rely on non-governmental resources to stay in business."

The survey findings are part of a series of Manta Political Tracking Polls that offer an ongoing assessment of small business owners' opinions on candidates and hot topics related to the upcoming presidential election. Manta's latest survey polled more than 1,900 small business owners.