Former U.S. Rep. and current GOP U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey, of Zionsville, has a 7 point lead on Democratic candidate U.S. Rep. Joseph Sestak, D-7, of Edgmont in a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.
According to a survey of 684 likely voters conducted between September 15 and 19, Toomey leads Sestak 50 percent to 43 percent. The poll has a margin of error 3.8 percentage points.
Pollsters found Toomey’s 54-36 percent lead among independent voters was the controlling factor in his overall lead.
The two appear equally matched in voter opinion, according to he poll. Both candidates were viewed favorably by 44 percent surveyed. Toomey was viewed unfavorably by 31 percent and Sestak was viewed unfavorably by 34 percent.
Twenty-three percent of respondents had no opinion of Toomey. Twenty percent said the same of Sestak.
“Pat Toomey is in a good place, ahead by 7 points with six weeks to go,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, in a release accompanying the poll results.
“But Congressman Joe Sestak has proven himself a tough competitor so it's too early to order the champagne,” added Brown.
Brown said the battle for the Senate will likely have a very tight finish, as 7 percent of respondents were still undecided and 14 percent of voters who are currently supporting a candidate said they might change their mind.