Increasingly contentious exchanges between Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Jack Conway get part of the credit for Conway’s pulling with 5 points of Paul in their U.S. Senate race in Kentucky. Rasmussen Reports wondered whether Conway’s raising questions about Rand’s religious views during college whittled Paul’s lead to the narrowest it’s been.
The Oct. 18 telephone survey of 750 likely voters in Kentucky chronicled tea party favorite Paul at 47 percent to Conway’s 42 percent, state Attorney General Conway’s best showing since June. Four percent favor some other candidate, and 7 percent are undecided, allowing for plenty of statistical swing between now and Election Day.
The Oct. 18 telephone survey of 500 likely voters was taken after the candidates’ contentious weekend debate when Conway pushed the message of his new campaign ad that suggests Paul’s antics in college show a lack of Christian faith.
Paul reacted angrily and said he may call off the final debate. Conway has been denounced even by members of his own party for the ad, but this race now moves from solid Republican to leans Republican in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Senate Balance of Power rankings.
Late last month, Paul, an ophthalmologist and political newcomer, posted a 49-to-38 percent lead over Conway. In 12 previous surveys, Paul has led by 7 to 15 points, earning 46-59 percent of the vote. In those same surveys, Conway has picked up 34 to 42 percent support.
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