Another “safe” Democratic senator may not be quite as safe as he thought.
The first Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 telephone survey of likely voters in Oregon finds incumbent Democratic Senator Ron Wyden with a 49% to 35% lead over law professor Jim Huffman, the most prominent Republican reportedly considering running against him.
Seven percent (7%) prefer some other candidate, and nine percent (9%) are undecided.
Given Oregon’s political leanings, it’s a tough struggle for any Republican candidate against a popular Democrat like Wyden. Still, an incumbent who polls less than 50% at this stage of the campaign is viewed as potentially vulnerable, and this week’s surprise announcement by Indiana Senator Evan Bayh that he will not seek reelection has sent shock waves through Democratic ranks.
It’s interesting to note, too, that Huffman, a political newcomer, is an unknown quantity to 43% of the voters in Oregon, while just nine percent (9%) don’t know enough about Wyden to have an opinion of him. This suggests Huffman may be getting some support just because he isn’t the Democrat. (Emphasis added)