Poll: Katie McGinty 43, Pat Toomey 38 in Pa. Senate race [View all]

[modrepub]

WASHINGTON — Another new poll found Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Katie McGinty leading Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) and — in a potential problem for the incumbent -- shows him running essentially even with Donald Trump.

McGinty has support from 43 percent of likely Pennsylvania voters, compared to 38 percent for Toomey, according to a Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll released over the weekend. The same survey also found Trump with 38 percent support, trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton by 9.

The poll has a margin of error of 5.5 percent — suggesting that the Senate race is still close enough for either candidate to win. Other polls have also shown a tight race, with McGinty either leading slightly or the candidates effectively tied.

The Pennsylvania race appears increasingly important to deciding control of the Senate as contests in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ohio look less and less competitive.

If Clinton continues Democrats' long winning streak in presidential races in the Keystone State, Toomey's fate will depend on running well ahead of Trump. But this poll, as well as other recent surveys from Monmouth University, Franklin & Marshall and CBS/YouGov show Toomey statistically even with the GOP nominee.

There was a recent exception: a Quinnipiac University poll earlier in September found Toomey with more support than Trump.


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