Wednesday, July 30, 2008

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Former Governor Mike Johanns has maintained a big lead over Democrat Scott Kleeb in the United States Senate race in Nebraska this month. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds the Republican ahead 56% to 31%. When “leaners” are included, Johanns leads 60% to 34%.

A month ago, Johanns had a 60% to 33% lead over the college professor. Johanns and Kleeb are seeking to replace Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, who decided not to run for re-election this year. In addition to serving as Nebraska’s governor, Johanns served as Secretary of Agriculture under George W. Bush. Kleeb, who is just 32 years old, ran for Congress from Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District in 2006. He lost that race by ten percentage points but easily won the Democratic Primary last month to represent his party in this year’s Senate race.

One out of four Nebraska Democrats (25%) say they plan on voting for Johanns. That’s up slightly from 21% last month. Among unaffiliated voters, Johanns has a 47% to 30% advantage.

Rasmussen Markets data suggests that Johanns has a % chance of winning Nebraska’s United States Senate election in November. These results are updated on a 24/7 basis by market participants. It costs nothing to join and add your voice to the collective wisdom.

Johanns is viewed favorably by 70% of voters in Nebraska, down from 73% last month. Kleeb earns positive ratings from 48% of voters, down from 50% in June.

Nebraska is one of the few seats the Republican Party can count on to maintain in this year’s senate elections. Republican seats in Virginia, Alaska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Kentucky and Maine are all potentially vulnerable.

Republican Governor of Nebraska Dave Heineman continues to earn high marks from voters. This month, 66% of voters say he is doing a good or excellent job, down slightly from 70% last month. Just 6% of voters give the governor a poor rating.

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