Cory Gardner up 8 points on Mark Udall in Colorado Senate race: poll

GOP Rep. Cory Gardner has an 8-point lead on incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Udall in a poll of likely voters released Thursday.

Mr. Gardner gets 48 percent to Mr. Udall’s 40 percent, with independent candidate Steve Shogan pulling 8 percent in the Quinnipiac University survey.

“With control of the U.S. Senate in play, the Rocky Mountain State gives a jolting shot of adrenaline to the GOP,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll. “U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, for now, is in the driver’s seat in a race with national importance.”

For 37 percent of likely voters, their vote in the contest is a vote against President Obama, while 13 percent say it is a vote for the president and 49 percent say Mr. Obama is not much of a factor.

In a separate Suffolk University/USA Today poll released Wednesday showing Mr. Gardner leading by 1 point, 43 percent to 42 percent, Mr. Obama has about a 42 percent approval rating, with more than 56 percent disapproving.

Many Democrats had banked on holding Colorado in their effort to preserve a 55-45 majority in the Senate, but a spirited contest by Mr. Gardner could give the GOP another path to picking up the net of six seats they need to re-take control of the chamber.