Illinois Senate: Obama 54% Ryan 30%

Friday, June 25, 2004

In the race to fill a U.S. Senate seat for Illinois, Democrat Barack Obama leads Republican Jack Ryan 54% to 30%. The survey was conducted for the Daily Southtown.

Three other Republicans appear ready to give Obama a more competitive race.

Former Governor Jim Edgar is essentially tied with Obama at this time (Obama 45% Edgar 42%).
The incumbent Senator, Peter Fitzgerald, trails Obama 47% to 40%.
State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka is within 11 points of Obama, trailing 49% to 38%.

Ryan withdrew from the race yesterday after dealing with the fallout from release of his divorce files. The Daily Southtown quoted Scott Rasmussen as saying Ryan "can lose or withdraw. He's not going to the Senate."

Our previous survey found a much more competitive race (Obama 48% Ryan 40%). Since that time, Ryan's ratings have fallen from 51% favorable and 36% unfavorable (+15 net) to 41% favorable and 49% unfavorable (-8 net)

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

The Rasmussen Reports Election Edge™ Premium Service offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage available anywhere.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.

The statewide telephone survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted June 24, 2004 by Rasmussen Reports. Margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

Statewide Survey of 500 Likely Voters Conducted June 24, 2004

Illinois 2004 U.S. Senate
Ryan (R)	30%
Obama (D)	54%
Other	6%
Not Sure	9%
RasmussenReports.com

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