New GOP poll finds both of Georgia's Republican senators in danger
The Republican pollster Cygnal is out with a survey of each of Georgia's 2020 U.S. Senate races for the Georgia House GOP Caucus, and it shows both Republican incumbents in real danger. Sen. David Perdue leads Democrat Jon Ossoff 45-39 in the contest for a regular six-year term, while an unnamed third-party candidate takes 4%. The poll's sample also finds Donald Trump leading Joe Biden just 45-44 in a state he carried 50-45 four years ago.
Respondents were also asked about the November all-party special election contest for the other Senate seat. GOP Rep. Doug Collins is in first with 29%, while Democratic businessman Matt Lieberman takes the second-place spot in a likely runoff with 12%. Pastor Raphael Warnock, who has the support of national Democrats, and appointed GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler are just behind with 11% each, while a third Democrat, former U.S. Attorney Ed Tarver, is at 4%. The state House GOP caucus is led by Speaker of the House David Ralston, who is a major Collins ally.
This is the first poll we've seen all year of Perdue's race for a second term, and Cygnal only tested Ossoff, who was Team Blue's nominee in the ultra-expensive 2017 special for the 6th District, against the incumbent. Two other notable Democrats, 2018 lieutenant governor nominee Sarah Riggs Amico and former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, are also competing with Ossoff in the June 9 primary, but Ossoff ended March with a large cash-on-hand lead over both his rivals. If no one takes a majority of the vote, the Democratic nomination would be decided in an August runoff.
As we noted above, an unnamed third-party candidate takes 4%, and this sort of showing could make a huge difference this fall. That's because the state has an unusual law that requires candidates competing in the November general election in every race besides president to take a majority to avoid another runoff: Confusingly, the runoff for state-level general elections is set for Dec. 1, while the second round for federal general elections is on Jan. 5, 2021 thanks to requirements in federal law.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/5/4/1942297/-Morning-Digest-New-GOP-poll-finds-both-of-Georgia-s-Republican-senators-in-danger?detail=emaildkre#1
