Incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl’s lead has taken a hit, but he’s still in control of his bid for another term in the United States Senate. The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Kyl leading Democratic challenger Jim Pederson 50% to 39% (see crosstabs). Kyl’s lead was 17 in last month’s survey.

The current numbers represent Kyl’s worst performance and Pederson’s best since polling for this race began in January.

Kyl is still polling well with his base, earning support from 82% of GOP voters. Comparatively, 70% of Democrats say they’re supporting Pederson.

More than one-third of voters (34%) say they have “very favorable” opinions of Kyl. Nineteen percent (19%) view him very unfavorably. Eighteen percent (18%) have “very favorable” opinions of Pederson and 23% feel very unfavorably. Pederson scored very unfavorably with 18% of voters last month. Kyl’s numbers remain largely unchanged.

The candidates are currently battling over the issue of amnesty for immigrants. Kyl and Pederson held dueling press conferences earlier this week to exchange barbs over each candidate’s alleged support for a 1986 Congressional amnesty law. The Kyl campaign launched an ad featuring local sheriffs who criticize Pederson for supporting amnesty. Pederson, who has yet to hold elected office and therefore has never voted on the issue, responded with emphatic denials and counter claims that Kyl supported a 1988 amendment that would have extended the amnesty law. Kyl responded that he was not a member of the Senate when the amendment was considered.

Nationally, voters strongly favor efforts to reduce the number of illegal immigrants coming into the United States. Overall, while many political leaders in Washington favored a “comprehensive” approach to immigration reform, voters have consistently favored an “enforcement-first” approach.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.