Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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Incumbent Senator Pat Roberts continues to dominate his challenger in the U.S. Senate race in Kansas. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds Roberts leading Democrat Jim Slattery 55% to 36%.

While Republican fortunes have fallen in much of the country, from John McCain on down, the race in Kansas has changed little from last month, when Roberts had a 57% to 38% lead. Roberts has received well over 50% level of support in every survey with the exception of June, when he received support from 48% of voters.

Roberts is currently seeking his third six-year term in the Senate. Slattery served in the House for 12 years but, after an unsuccessful bid for governor of Kansas, has been a Washington lobbyist since the mid-1990s.

Unaffiliated voters still aren’t sold on either candidate. Slattery has a slight 39% to 37% edge among these voters, while another 18% are not sure who they will vote for. Roberts leads 56% to 36% among men in Kansas and 54% to 36% among women.

Rasmussen Markets data suggests that Roberts has a % chance of winning re-election in November. These results are updated on a 24/7 basis by market participants. It costs nothing to join, so add your voice to the collective wisdom.

Roberts is viewed favorably by 57% of voters and unfavorably by 34%. Slattery’s numbers are less flattering, with 36% who view him favorably and 50% who have an unfavorable view.

While Roberts seems assured of reelection, a number of Republican Senate seats are at risk including Alaska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Mississippi, Minnesota and Virginia. Democrats also think they have a shot at seats in Georgia, Kentucky, and Texas.

Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who was on Barack Obama's short list as a possible running mate, earns good or excellent ratings from 45% of voters, while 25% rate her job performance as poor.

The latest numbers from Kansas’ presidential race will be released today at 5 p.m.

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