Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa leads her Democratic opponent Bruce Braley in their race for the U.S. Senate, according to a new poll from USA Today and Suffolk University. Ernst, a state senator, has 47 percent support while three-term congressman Braley earns 43 percent.
Ernst has now led or tied Braley in 11 of the last 12 polls, and the Real Clear Politics average of polls gives her a 1.6-point lead.
Here’s more on the poll from USA Today:
President Obama has a 54% disapproval rating in the state that helped launch his 2008 presidential campaign to victory.
Ernst has a narrow edge in “favorability”: 46% of respondents viewed her favorably compared with 43% for Braley.
While enough voters remain undecided to swing the race in either direction, the poll also gives Republicans a 7.6-point advantage in the generic ballot. That is, when asked whether they would vote for the Republican or the Democratic candidate, 48.6% said Republican, 41% said Democratic. Ernst also has a 48%-32% edge among independents.
Ernst has a narrow edge in “favorability”: 46% of respondents viewed her favorably compared with 43% for Braley.
While enough voters remain undecided to swing the race in either direction, the poll also gives Republicans a 7.6-point advantage in the generic ballot. That is, when asked whether they would vote for the Republican or the Democratic candidate, 48.6% said Republican, 41% said Democratic. Ernst also has a 48%-32% edge among independents.
Braley and Ernst are vying for Iowa open seat, currently held by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin.
