In the Missouri Senate race, Democrat Claire McCaskill leads Republican Jim Talent by three percentage points.

The first Rasmussen Reports Election Poll conducted in 2006 finds McCaskill with 46% of the statewide vote. Talent, the incumbent Senator, attracts just 43% of the vote.

Incumbents who poll below 50% are generally considered vulnerable. This could be one of the most closely watched races in the country come November.

Last November, McCaskill had a two-point lead. In previous September the two candidates were tied at 46% each. McCaskill is viewed favorably by 55% of Missouri voters. fifty-three percent (53%) have a favorable opinion of Talent.

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Both candidates attract solid support from their own party while McCaskill has a 10-percentage point advantage among unaffiliated voters.

Visit our Election Polls page to see a summary of our latest state-by state polling. Rasmussen Reports is polling every Senate and Governors' race at least once a month this year.

Missouri voters are fairly evenly divided when asked whether the situation in Iraq or immigration is the more important voting issue. McCaskill leads among those who declare Iraq more important while Talent leads among those who say immigration is more important.

Crosstabs and ratings of other Missouri politicians are available for Premium Members. Results are available by Age, Gender, Party, Ideology, Income, Marital Status, and more.