CNN called their poll of the Kentucky Senate race a slim lead for McConnell, but the 50%-46% spread means that the election is a statistical tie and that two months before Election Day, Alison Lundergan Grimes is in a position to defeat Mitch McConnell.
The CNN poll revealed that Sen. McConnell leads Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes among likely voters 50%-46%, but leads registered voters 47%-46%. The electorate has mostly decided who they will support with just 19% of likely voters and 24% of registered voters suggesting that they might change their minds before Election Day. The poll revealed that McConnell is leading with men 55%-41%, but Grimes leads with women 52%-45%. McConnell has more than 60% support in the eastern and western parts of Kentucky, but Grimes leads in all other parts of the state.
The poll found that there aren’t many persuadable voters in Kentucky, and the election may come down to the 28% of moderates who said that they might change their minds. What CNN tried to call a lead, really isn’t a lead for McConnell. The Republican Senate Minority Leader has spent tens of millions of dollars on advertising, but he has been unable to build any kind of lead on Alison Grimes.
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
In a statement, the Grimes campaign said, “After over $30 million in spending from Mitch McConnell and his Washington special interest allies, our campaign is well-positioned for victory. For over a year, this race has remained a dead heat – a disconcerting place for the 30-year incumbent nine weeks out from Election Day. Our strong grassroots infrastructure, coupled with Alison’s focus on growing the middle class, continues to bring Kentuckians together. The people of Kentucky are sending the message that they are ready for an independent, commonsense problem solver who puts people first, not a champion for millionaires and billionaires.”
Alison Grimes is in a position that few thought she would be in when this election started. She has a legitimate chance to defeat Mitch McConnell. The thirty year Republican incumbent has not been able to build a lead of any substance for over a year. Democrats have been discussing how their Senate majority will be saved if either Grimes or Michelle Nunn can win their Senate races in red states.
It turns out that Democrats many win both Senate contests in Kentucky and Georgia. Instead of counting down the days until he is Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell is facing a countdown to retirement. There are only 62 more days to go until voters in Kentucky get their chance to retire Mitch McConnell.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
