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Poll Finds Toomey Well Ahead Of Specter In Race
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| Survey data shows former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, pictured, would beat U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa. by 21 percentage points. (Krystle Marcellus/The Bulletin) |
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
Survey data from Rasmussen Reports shows former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey would beat U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., by 21 percentage points in a match for the incumbent’s Senate seat.
The actual contest is a long way off in Nov. 2010. But Mr. Specter has already provoked widespread dissatisfaction on the part of many members of his own party due to his vote in favor of President Barack Obama’s $787-billion spending bill earlier this year.
Although the senator was first elected to his chamber in 1980, amassing greater name recognition than virtually any other Pennsylvania politician during that time, only 42 percent of his fellow Pennsylvania Republicans report viewing him favorably. Fifty-five percent say they view him unfavorably.
Those are stunningly poor numbers for a long-term incumbent senator,” a statement from Rasmussen Reports said.
Mr. Toomey represented the Lehigh Valley area in Congress from 1999 to 2005. He challenged Mr. Specter’s reelection bid in 2004 but fell just short of winning. Sixty-six percent of Pennsylvania Republicans now report having a favorable view toward Mr. Toomey, while only 19 percent say they think of him negatively.
Former gubernatorial candidate Peg Luksik has also entered the Republican primary race for the Senate seat. Former National Constitution Center principal Joe Torsella has declared his candidacy on the Democratic side.
Other Democrats considered possible candidates for the seat include U.S. Reps. Joe Sestak, D-7th, of Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties; Patrick Murphy, D-8th, of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties; and Allyson Schwartz, D-13th, of Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153rd, of Montgomery County is also reportedly considering a run.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
The actual contest is a long way off in Nov. 2010. But Mr. Specter has already provoked widespread dissatisfaction on the part of many members of his own party due to his vote in favor of President Barack Obama’s $787-billion spending bill earlier this year.
Although the senator was first elected to his chamber in 1980, amassing greater name recognition than virtually any other Pennsylvania politician during that time, only 42 percent of his fellow Pennsylvania Republicans report viewing him favorably. Fifty-five percent say they view him unfavorably.
Those are stunningly poor numbers for a long-term incumbent senator,” a statement from Rasmussen Reports said.
Mr. Toomey represented the Lehigh Valley area in Congress from 1999 to 2005. He challenged Mr. Specter’s reelection bid in 2004 but fell just short of winning. Sixty-six percent of Pennsylvania Republicans now report having a favorable view toward Mr. Toomey, while only 19 percent say they think of him negatively.
Former gubernatorial candidate Peg Luksik has also entered the Republican primary race for the Senate seat. Former National Constitution Center principal Joe Torsella has declared his candidacy on the Democratic side.
Other Democrats considered possible candidates for the seat include U.S. Reps. Joe Sestak, D-7th, of Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties; Patrick Murphy, D-8th, of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties; and Allyson Schwartz, D-13th, of Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153rd, of Montgomery County is also reportedly considering a run.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
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