Goberman, Obrist for Senate?
We all love to read polls, right? Portland pollster Mike Riley has released a new poll (available at West of the Beltway.)
It shows Pavel Goberman, Roger Obrist, Steve Novick and Jeff Merkley in a statistical dead heat for the Democratic nomination in the Senate race against Gordon Smith (with 73% of Ds undecided).
U.S. SENATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACE
Steve Novick.......12%
Jeff Merkley..........9%
Roger Obrist.........3%
Pavel Goberman....2%
Candy Neville........1%
Undecided............73%
Margin of error: 7 percent
A Riley Research poll completed on December 14 showed John Frohnmayer (a candidate seeking the Independent Party nomination for the U.S. Senate), running second to incumbent Republican, Gordon Smith. (That poll included only Merkley as a potential Democratic candidate in a 3-way race).
Among Democrats polled in December, Frohnmayer was tied for support from Democrats with Merkley, and Smith was not doing badly. The three candidates split the votes of Democrats somewhat equally (Merkley 22%, Frohnmayer 18%, Smith 16%).
This race will be interesting.
Liwi, I don't find it at all
Liwi,
I don't find it at all surprising that Novick is polling ahead of Merkley. He had a nice little ad buy in a few markets and followed it up with a highly successful commercial. According to the East Oregonian Novick won the debate in Pendleton.
That can't be pleasant to
That can't be pleasant to look at for the Merkley camp. This was supposed to be a walkover, a cakewalk. Merkley debate negotiator Charlie Ringo called Jeff the "only realistic candidate" in the race. I guess reality is in the eye of the beholders...!