![64% of Tech Executives Think Romney Would Be Better for the Industry [STUDY]](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/archives/05ANhYcJNAnwmYDtdtF0AGx/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1647021486.jpg)
Would a second Barack Obama term be better for the technology industry, or would it be more prosperous under a Mitt Romney administration? Most technology executives believe Romney's the better choice, according to a new study.
DLA Piper, an international law firm, asked thousands of CEOs, CFOs and other company officers at technology companies, as well as venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and consultants in the field for their opinion of the 2012 presidential election and legislative issues facing the sector.
The majority -- 64% -- said that Romney would be better for the tech industry, with 41% favoring Obama (the percentages below don't quite add up to 100% because respondents were allowed to choose more than one option).
That's a sharp turn from 2008, when 60% said Obama's victory would be good news for the sector. However, despite the industry leaders' newfound preference for the Republican candidate, 76% said they believe Obama will win the election.
DLA Piper's study dropped just as it was reported Romney and other Republicans were making significant inroads in Silicon Valley, once considered by some to be a Democratic stronghold.
Regardless of who wins in November, what do these technology leaders want from Washington?
Many reported concerns about regulation and tax policy. Sixty percent believe that letting the Bush-era tax cuts expire would have a negative effect on technology investment, while 33% think their expiration will have no effect on the sector.
Concerns were also raised about immigration, patent reform, and lawsuits.
Legislative issues aside, most of the survey respondents remain optimistic about their business' chance for success. Fifty-five percent said they expect a "moderate increase" in sales over the next year and 16% are looking forward to a "significant increase," while 16% said they will probably hold steady. Likewise, 50% expect a "moderate increase" in hiring, 10% expect a "significant increase" in hiring and 27% expect no change in hiring.
That's a marked change from fall of 2008, when the financial crisis first hit. Then, 70% of respondents said they were expecting revenues to fall and layoffs to be necessary.
Why the optimism, four years later? According to DLA Piper, tech companies are increasingly deciding the worst of the recession is over, and now feel the economy is on a gradual return to normal.
". . .In the 4th quarter of 2012, respondents seem to have developed a broad consensus –- they are settling in for a period of steady but slow growth," reads DLA Piper's report.
The full report and methodology is embedded below. Which candidate do you think would be better for the technology sector?