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Qualities Valued in Candidates

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) A new Field Poll has found some surprising opinions among state voters when it comes to the qualities they value in candidates for public office.

The Field Poll presented a list of 28 character attributes to voters who were asked to rank them in order of importance.

"It's interesting. At the top of the list, voters seem to value experience, whether it be experienced working with legislative leaders, which probably would benefit the Democratic candidates, but also experience in the business world," said poll director Mark DiCamillo. "They were about equally positive to voters, which benefits the Republican candidates."

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The survey also examined how heavily voters weigh endorsements.

DiCamillo said the poll indicates President Obama may not have much influence on either the gubernatorial or U.S. Senate races.[pullquote quote="At the top of the list, voters seem to value experience." credit="Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo"]

"If for example a candidate supported his policies, it was three points to the negative," said DiCamillo. "It's really a modest impact on voters."

The Field Poll also found that if a candidate is from the Bay Area, that is considered a more negative than positive attribute for California voters by a margin of nine points.

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