Election 2014

Louisiana Senate Runoff: Cassidy (R) 56%, Landrieu (D) 40%

Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy still holds a double-digit lead over incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu going into tomorrow’s Louisiana Senate runoff.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Louisiana Voters shows Cassidy leading Landrieu by 16 points – 56% to 40%. Four percent (4%) are still undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Louisiana was conducted on December 2-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

2014 Midterm Elections: How Did We Do in the Governor’s Races?

There were governor’s races in 36 states this fall, and as usual we polled them all. But as in the case of the Senate races, the ones that we determined were not competitive were only polled once or twice at most.

A couple states we didn’t revisit for this reason surprised us. Democratic nominee Anthony Brown seemed a shoo-in in July in deep blue Maryland, but Republican hopeful Larry Hogan picked up momentum in October and won instead. In Vermont, incumbent Democrat Peter Shumlin is ahead as we expected, but since neither candidate got more than 50% of the vote, the state legislature will make the final decision.

How Did We Do in the Senate Races?

There were 36 U.S. Senate races this year, and as usual most of them weren’t close and weren’t polled much, if at all. We pride ourselves on polling every race at least once, although we generally looked at ones that weren’t expected to be close only once or twice at most. That was a mistake in the case of Virginia where a popular Democratic incumbent ended up winning by less than a point.

But we clearly saw the Republican wave coming, although the margins in the races in some cases proved to be bigger than some of our final polls projected.

56% of GOP Voters Felt ‘Compelled’ to Vote Vs. 43% of Democrats

Republicans were the most enthusiastic voters this election cycle as the final results indicate. The economy and the overall competence of the government were the two most important issues for all voters.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely Republican Voters say they felt more compelled to vote this year than in previous years, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-one percent (41%) of GOP voters say they didn’t feel this way.

By comparison, just 43% of Democrats felt more compelled to vote this year, but 48% did not. Similarly, among voters not affiliated with either major party, 44% felt more motivated to vote versus 49% who didn’t share this motivation. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available onTwitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on November 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Governor Races Scramble Down to the Wire

While they may not determine which party controls the U.S. Senate, 2014’s gubernatorial races have provided plenty of excitement and will have significant consequences for their states.

Overall, there are 36 governor races this year, including nine Toss-Ups, five that Lean Republican, two that Lean Democrat, 11 that are Safe Republican, eight that are Safe Democrat and one that Leans Independent.

Connecticut Governor: Malloy (D) 48%, Foley (R) 47%

Does Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy have a chance to keep his job after all?

The final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Connecticut Voters finds Malloy picking up 48% of the vote to Republican Tom Foley’s 47%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 977 Likely Voters in Connecticut was conducted on October 29-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Iowa Governor: Branstad (R) 55%, Hatch (D) 37%

Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad looks comfortably on his way to reelection next Tuesday.

This year’s final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters shows Branstad with 55% of the vote to Democratic challenger Jack Hatch’s 37%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 990 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on October 28-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Alaska Governor: Walker (I) 50%, Parnell (R) 43%

Independent Bill Walker remains ahead of Republican Governor Sean Parnell in the final days of Alaska’s gubernatorial contest.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 887 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on October 27-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New Hampshire Governor: Hassan (D) 51%, Havenstein (R) 42%

Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan appears on her way to reelection in New Hampshire in the closing days of that contest.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 940 Likely Voters in New Hampshire was conducted on October 29-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New Hampshire Senate: Shaheen (D) 52%, Brown (R) 45%

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen remains ahead of Republican challenger Scott Brown heading into the final weekend of New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race.

Shaheen picks up 52% of the vote to Brown’s 45% in the final Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely New Hampshire Voters. One percent (1%) prefer another candidate, and two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 940 Likely Voters in New Hampshire was conducted on October 29-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Iowa Senate: Ernst (R) 48%, Braley (D) 47%

Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Bruce Braley are in a near tie in the closing days of Iowa’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters shows Ernst with 48% of the vote and Braley with 47%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and another three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 990 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on October 28-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Alaska Senate: Sullivan (R) 47%, Begich (D) 42%

Republican challenger Dan Sullivan has pulled to his biggest lead yet over Democratic incumbent Mark Begich in the final Rasmussen Reports survey of Alaska’s U.S. Senate race.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.)

The survey of 887 Likely Voters in Alaska was conducted on October 27-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Arkansas Governor: Hutchinson (R) 50%, Ross (D) 43%

Republican Asa Hutchinson has extended his lead over Democrat Mike Ross in the race to be Arkansas’ next governor.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Arkansas Voters shows Hutchinson with 50% support to Ross’ 43%. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and four percent (4%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 967 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on October 27-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

North Carolina Senate: Hagan (D) 47%, Tillis (R) 46%

Kay Hagan, long viewed as perhaps the Senate’s most endangered Democrat, is still hanging in there in the closing days of North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 982 Likely Voters in North Carolina was conducted on October 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Arkansas Senate: Cotton (R) 51%, Pryor (D) 44%

The clock is running out for Democrat Mark Pryor to keep from losing his U.S. Senate seat in Arkansas to Republican Congressman Tom Cotton.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Arkansas Voters shows Cotton with 51% of the vote to Pryor’s 44%. Four percent (4%) like some other candidate in the race, and two percent (2%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 967 Likely Voters in Arkansas was conducted on October 27-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Georgia Governor: Deal (R) 49%, Carter (D) 43%

Republican Governor Nathan Deal is holding on to a six-point lead over Democratic challenger Jason Carter in the final week of his reelection campaign in Georgia and leads by the same margin in a hypothetical runoff contest.

Deal now picks up 49% of the vote to Carter’s 43% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 977 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on October 25-27, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Georgia Senate: Perdue (R) 46%, Nunn (D) 46%

Is Georgia heading toward a U.S. Senate runoff like Louisiana?

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters finds Republican David Perdue and Democrat Michelle Nunn tied with 46% support each. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and five percent (5%) are undecided.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 977 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on October 25-27, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

South Dakota Senate: Rounds (R) 45%, Weiland (D) 31%, Pressler (I) 20%

Another situation like Kansas appears unlikely in South Dakota where Republican Mike Rounds is now holding off an independent challenger and has a double-digit lead over Democrat Rick Weiland in the final week of the state's U.S. Senate race.

Rounds now picks up 45% of the vote to Weiland’s 31% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely South Dakota Voters. Republican-turned-Independent Larry Pressler captures 21% of the vote. Three percent (3%) are undecided at this point (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in South Dakota was conducted on June 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Colorado Governor: Beauprez (R) 49%, Hickenlooper (D) 47%

It appears that Colorado’s gubernatorial race is set to be a photo finish.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters shows Republican challenger Bob Beauprez picking up 49% of the vote to incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper’s 47%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 966 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on October 21-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Colorado Senate: Gardner (R) 51%, Udall (D) 45%

Colorado is home to one of the most crucial races for Republicans to take control of the U.S. Senate, and it appears to be slipping away from Democratic Senator Mark Udall in the final stretch.

Republican Cory Gardner now picks up 51% of the vote to Udall’s 45% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters. Two percent (2%) like some other candidate in the race, while two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 966 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on October 21-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.