Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is heavily favored among independent financial advisors, with 81% picking the former Massachusetts governor as their candidate of choice, according to a survey of  Financial Services Institute (FSI) members.

While FSI members heavily favor Romney as next the president, they are more evenly split on who they believe will actually win, with 1,104 advisors believing Obama will have a second term in office and 1,244 believing Romney will win.

FSI respondents indicated that the economy is the top issue influencing their vote for president. FSI respondents also predicted that Republicans will take control of the Senate, capital gains taxes will increase, equities and the economy will hold steady for the remainder of 2012 and that the Department of Labor should not redefine the definition of fiduciary.

"Independent financial advisors have a unique viewpoint of the intersection of politics and the economy," said Dale Brown, president and CEO of FSI. "Advisors work closely with Main Street clients every day, helping them secure their financial futures by planning for what is expected down the road."

Brown said the poll results indicate that the economy and taxes are weighing heavily on the minds of advisors who plan for their clients. "They are bracing themselves and their clients for a stagnant economy and an increase in capital gains taxes," he said.

About 2,376 financial advisors completed the online survey from August 8 to 10, according to FSI.

FSI is an advocacy organization for independent financial services firms and independent financial advisors. It consists of over 100 firm members and over 35,000 advisor members.

-Jim McConville