Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s re-election campaign released an internal poll showing him with a 7-point lead over Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes, contradicting recent surveys of Kentucky voters that show it’s a neck-and-neck race.
The internal poll had Mr. McConnell, Kentucky Republican, leading 49 percent to 42 percent for Mrs. Grimes, the Kentucky secretary of state who has mounted a robust challenge to the 30-year Senate veteran.
“The results indicate you have taken a clear lead in the race,” the polling firm, Voter Consumer Research, said in a memo to Mr. McConnell that his campaign released.
Most polls show a much closer race. The Real Clear Politics average of recent polls gave Mr. McConnell a 1.5 percent advantage. A Magellan Strategies poll earlier this month showed Mrs. Grimes with a 3-point lead.
The McConnell campaign’s pollster also pointed to sold support among the GOP base.
“The results show a unified Republican party,” said the memo to Mr. McConnell. “At this time 85 percent of likely Republican voters support you; among likely voters who identify themselves as Tea Party Republicans 92 percent supports you.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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