DENVER — The Colorado Senate race is still locked in a statistical tie, but now Republican Rep. Cory Gardner is the candidate leading by a nose, according to a poll released Thursday.
A Quinnipiac University poll shows Mr. Gardner ahead of Democratic Sen. Mark Udall by 44 to 42 percentage points, within the poll’s margin of error. Quinnipiac’s April 24 poll had Mr. Udall leading by 45 to 44 percentage points.
Mr. Udall also recorded his lowest job approval rating since Quinnipiac began polling on the 2014 race, with 42 percent approving and 46 percent disapproving. The April survey had his job approval rating tied at 42 percentage points.
“This race shifts back and forth a point or two and remains too close to call. There’s a whole lot at stake as Sen. Mark Udall runs neck and neck with U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, the GOP challenger, in a marquee race that could tip the balance of the Senate,” said Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac assistant director, in a statement.
Only 40 percent of those surveyed said Mr. Udall deserves re-election, compared with 49 percent who said he didn’t, which ties his lowest re-election rating.
For the first time, more Colorado voters polled view Mr. Udall unfavorably than favorably, 43 percent to 40 percent. In April, 43 percent viewed the Democrat favorably and 38 percent unfavorably.
Mr. Gardner was viewed favorably by 34 percent of those polled and unfavorably by 31 percent, with 34 percent saying they didn’t know enough about him.
Both candidates have been hammered for months by attack ads from independent-expenditure committees, with Mr. Gardner being hit on the “war on women” front while Mr. Udall takes shots for supporting Obamacare and voting against resolutions in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline.
Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,147 Colorado registered voters from July 10-14 with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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