New Polls Show Shifts In Two Races
(CBS) - A new Franklin and Marshall College Poll shows Republican Pat Toomey reestablishing his lead over Democrat Joe Sestak. In New Jersey, a Monmouth University survey shows Jon Runyan taking his first lead over Democrat John Adler.
After a series of polls showing the race for U.S. Senate tightening, a new Franklin and Marshall College Poll shows Republican Pat Toomey now in front of Democrat Joe Sestak by seven points among likely voters, 43-percent to 36-percent.
Likewise, a Muhlenberg College daily tracking poll, which had the race tied on Friday, had Toomey up by eight points on Tuesday. F&M Poll director Terry Madonna believes Sestak surged on the basis of strong campaign commercials:
"Republicans bounced back, largely as a result of their attacks on Sestak. So what you see is you have these little waves that go on in the course of a campaign."
Speaking of waves, it looks like Dan Onorato will have to hope for a tsunami if he's to catch Republican Tom Corbett in the race for governor. F&M has Corbett ahead by 15-points among likely voters.
In New Jersey, the latest Monmouth University survey in the third district gives the edge to Republican newcomer Jon Runyan. The former Philadelphia Eagle, who last month trailed freshman, Democrat incumbent John Adler by three points, is now up by five.
It's Runyan's first lead according to poll director Patrick Murray who credits the ongoing dust up over whether Adler's people helped put titular Tea Party hopeful Peter DeStefano on the ballot:
"51-percent of the voters say they've heard of the controversy surrounding the candidacy and among that group about half think that Adler's campaign is behind it."
Adler's job performance has also dipped into negative territory. Independents, who had been solidly in his corner, are now siding with Runyan, 50-percent to 37-percent.
Reported by: Tony Romeo and David Madden, KYW Newsradio
