Poll: Nunn Ahead of Republicans in U.S. Senate Race; Grimes Ahead in Kentucky
(APN) ATLANTA — According to Public Policy Polling (PPP) out of Raleigh, North Carolina, “Surveys in Georgia and Kentucky find that both state’s Senate races continue to be toss ups, giving Democrats some good opportunities to play offense on this year’s map.”
“Michelle Nunn holds small leads over her Republican opponents in Georgia, while Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes continues to be neck and neck with the unpopular Mitch McConnell in Kentucky,” PPP stated.
If voting was held today and Michelle Nunn was up against Paul Broun (R), Nunn would be ahead by one percentage point, 42%-41%.
If voting was held today and Michelle Nunn was up against Phil Gingrey (R), Nunn would be ahead by four percentage points, 45%-41%.
If voting was held today and Michelle Nunn was up against Karen Handel (R), Nunn would be ahead by four percentage points, 44%-40%.
The poll did not inquire about other Democratic Primary candidates such as Dr. Rad or former State Sen. Steen Miles (D-Atlanta).
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) remains one of the most unpopular Senators in the country, with only 37 percent of voters approving of him to 51 percent who disapprove. His numbers with independents are even worse than his overall ones, at 33 percent to 54 percent.
In Kentucky, McConnell only has a 45 percent to 44 advantage over Alison Lundergan Grimes, the likely Democratic nominee.
Voters in both states support an increase in the federal minimum wage by large margins.
The question, “Would you vote for a minimum wage increase from $7.25 an hour to $10 an hour?” was supported in Georgia by 57 percent and in Kentucky by 54 percent.
53 percent of Georgians said they would be less likely to vote for the Republican candidate if they did not support the wage increase.
In Kentucky, 42 percent said they would be less likely vote for the Republican candidate if they support a federal minimum wage increase.
“Those numbers suggest the minimum wage can be a potent and winning issue for Alison Lundergan Grimes and Michelle Nunn over the course of this year,” PPP stated.
PPP interviewed 882 Kentucky voters and 640 Georgia voters from January 24 to 26, 2014. The margins of error for the polls are +/-3.3% and +/-3.9% respectively. PPP conducted the surveys on behalf of Americans United for Change.
(END/2014)