Friday, October 31, 2008

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The U.S. Senate race in Georgia has grown a whole lot closer over the past two weeks. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds GOP incumbent Saxby Chambliss leading Democratic challenger Jim Martin by just 47% to 45%.

This is the closest the race has been all year and the highest level of support for Martin, whose campaign has spent roughly half-a-million dollars on attack ads against Chambliss over the past month. Just two weeks ago, Chambliss held a six-point lead.

Libertarian Party candidate Allen Buckley earns one percent (1%) of the vote in the latest poll.

Unaffiliated voters still favor Chambliss by a 50% to 47% margin. But Chambliss’ advantage among men has dropped over the past week, from 15 points to six. Martin continues to hold a two-point advantage among women for the second straight poll, 47% to 45%. (Premium Members can view full demographic crosstabs).

Favorability ratings for the senator also have dropped over the past two weeks. Chambliss is now viewed favorably by 51% of voters, down from 57% two weeks ago, and unfavorably by 43%, up from 37%. For Martin, the numbers are 48% favorable, 43% unfavorable. His ratings have improved since the last poll. Two weeks ago, the challenger was viewed favorably by 45%, unfavorably by 38%.

Governor Sonny Perdue, a Republican, earns good or excellent ratings from 45% of voters in Georgia, up from 39% two weeks ago, when voters were frustrated over the state’s gas shortage. Twenty-four percent (24%) give the governor’s job performance a poor rating.

The latest numbers on the presidential race in Georgia will be released today at 5 p.m.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.