Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., a top target of Republicans heading into the November elections, holds a slight edge over Mike Braun, his Republican opponent, in the Indiana Senate contest, according to a new poll released Wednesday.
According to a new NBC/Marist poll, Donnelly leads among likely voters with 49 percent to 43 percent for Braun, a businessman and a former Indiana state legislator, who Republicans are banking on for a win in November. When registered voters are polled, Donnelly’s lead remains a 6-point margin (48-42 percent).
The polls margin for error is +/-5 percent
Braun’s chances increase when a three-way contest is polled including Libertarian Lucy Brenton. Donnelly leads with 44 percent to Braun’s 41 percent. Brenton pull’s 8 percent support.
Since Braun’s victory in May, President Trump has been a vocal supporter of the GOP nominee and has derided Donnelly repeatedly as “Sleepin’ Joe.” Trump’s approval numbers also are higher than his disapprovals as 48 percent back him compared to 46 percent who disapprove.
The most recent poll of the race taken a month ago — a survey by the Trafalger Group — showed Donnelly with a 12-point advantage over Braun.
Part of the reason Donnelly sits in the driver’s seat with two months until Election Day is his favorability levels in the state. Forty-eight percent of likely voters view him favorably compared to only 31 percent who do not.
Meanwhile, 39 percent view Braun favorably compared to 32 percent who do not. Importantly, 29 percent have not heard enough about Braun to form an opinion.
