Appointed U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R), seeking to win the job on his own, remains in a pure toss-up with former Governor Ronnie Musgrove. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Mississippi found Wicker attracts 48% of the vote, while Musgrove earns support from 47%.
Last month, it was Musgrove with the single point lead, 47% to 46%. University of Virginia’s Larry Sabato has noted that this will be a “real political battle” which is “a rarity in a state that’s usually red as red can be.” Mississippi is in the unusual position of having two U.S. Senate races this year due to the retirement of Trent Lott. In December, Wicker was appointed to replace Lott by Governor Haley Barbour. Barbour also set November as the date for an election to replace Lott. Democrats had hoped to have a special election much sooner to avoid giving Wicker eleven months of incumbency. However, the State Supreme Court ruled that the November date would stand.
Wicker leads 54% to 41% among men, while Musgrove has a 52% to 43% advantage among women. Both candidates earn the same amount of support from their own parties. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, Wicker leads 53% to 41%.
Wicker is viewed favorably by 56% and unfavorably by 32%. Musgrove’s numbers are 47% favorable, 44% unfavorable.
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour’s ratings have changed little over the past month. The Republican governor earns good or excellent ratings from 53%, while 19% give him a poor rating.
In the other Mississippi Senate race, Thad Cochran enjoys a sizable lead and should cruise to re-election.
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This telephone survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports June 24, 2008. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
See Methodology.
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Mississippi Trends: Wicker vs. Musgrove |
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|---|---|---|
|
Date |
Wicker |
Musgrove |
|
10/27/2008 |
54% |
43% |
|
49% |
47% |
|
|
47% |
42% |
|
|
48% |
42% |
|
|
6/24/2008 |
48% |
47% |
|
46% |
47% |
|
|
Favorable Ratings for Senate Candidates in Mississippi |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Wicker |
Musgrove |
|
|
Very Favorable |
29% |
25% |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
30% |
22% |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
17% |
18% |
|
Very Unfavorable |
19% |
32% |
|
Not Sure |
4% |
4% |
Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.
The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge™ Premium Service for Election 2008 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a Presidential election.
Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.
