IT decision makers are split on which presidential candidate is most likely to help the technology industry, and 40% agree that the next person in the White House is likely to impact the information technology industry in several ways.

The CDW IT Monitor, a bimonthly report reflecting opinions in the IT marketplace, found that four out of 10 IT decision makers believe the election will affect their businesses. In particular, 36% of respondents believe the election results would affect their budgets.

Twenty-eight percent of the respondents predicted the outcome of the presidential race would affect their staffing and outsourcing decisions.

Not surprisingly, IT decision-makers in government anticipate a greater impact than those who lead private companies, with three out of five respondents in the federal government predicting a significant impact from the election.

CDW VP Mark Gambill pointed out that 10 gubernatorial races in the United States also are likely to affect IT decisions.

Seventy-four percent of IT decision makers in local government and 63% in state government said the most important election issues are budgets, taxes, and the deficit.

The survey of at least 1,000 IT decision makers representing all sizes of business and all sectors of government found equal confidence in Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, with 28% of respondents saying they trusted the candidates.

Respondents listed the IT issues most likely to be influenced by the White House. They are tax policies, data protection, and outsourcing. Global trade and government surveillance programs rounded out the top five.