With no challenge to fend off from popular Governor John Hoeven, whom the White House and others had urged to run for Senate this year, the path to reelection of incumbent Democratic Senator Kent Conrad so far appears smooth.
When voters consider a face-off between the two, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty just nudges past his strongest rival and frequent thorn-in-side, DFL Attorney General Mike Hatch. The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll finds Pawlenty leading Hatch 47% to 44%.
In the scramble to take over the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Mark Dayton, likely Republican nominee Representative Mark Kennedy is neck-and-neck with DFL county attorney Amy Klobuchar. (The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party or DFL is the state's equivalent of the Democratic Party).
Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman (D) faces grumbling and discontent from the left wing of his own party about his position on Iraq.
Matched against Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez, Hickenlooper leads 43% to 38% in our survey of 500 likely voters. Matched against University of Denver President Marc Holtzman, Hickenlooper leads more comfortably, 46% to 36%.
The first Rasmussen Reports Kansas poll of 2006 shows the incumbent Governor, Kathleen Sebelius (D), leading former state House Speaker Robin Jennison (R) 46% to 32%. Sebelius also leads state Senator Jim Barnett (R) 46% to 35%.
In the race to be New Jersey's next U.S. Senator, Republican state Senator Tom Kean Jr. now leads appointed Democratic Senator Robert Menendez 42% to 35%. Kean is son of a popular former governor.
Thirty-two percent (32%) of Americans say they will definitely vote for Senator Hillary Clinton if she runs for President in 2008. Thirty-nine percent (39%) will definitely vote against her.
The former First Lady is viewed as politically liberal by 46% of voters (up from 39% two weeks ago). Thirty-three percent (33%) see her as politically moderate (see trends).
In a match-up with State Treasurer Phil Angelides, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger leads Angelides 41% to 39%. Matched with State Comptroller Steve Westly, Schwarzenegger trails 39% to 40%.
Forty percent (40%) of Americans say that used-car salesmen are generally more ethical than members of Congress. A Rasmussen Reports survey finds that Just 27% believe the nation's elected representatives are more ethical.
The Democratic governor of Michigan may have the advantage of incumbency but, burdened by the state's lackluster employment outlook, has yet to win support from more than 50% of likely voters in a match-up with her likely Republican opponent.
Senator Debbie Stabenow enjoys a healthy 20-28 percentage point edge against the three Republicans vying to challenge her in the general election.
When asked about some issues that may impact Election 2006, 75% of Americans rate Health Care as "very important." Seventy-four percent (74%) say the same about the Economy and Political Corruption.
Our latest poll of the race for Pennsylvania governor shows Republican Lynn Swann, the former receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, narrowly leading Democratic Governor Ed Rendell 45% to 43%.
Blunt-talking Republican Senator Rick Santorum continues to trail his likely Democratic opponent, Bob Casey, Jr. in the closely watched race over his Senate seat. The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll shows Casey leading by 15 percentage points, 53% to 38%.
Democrat Mike Beebe is maintaining a narrow lead, 46% to 40%, over Republican Asa Hutchinson in the race to succeed Governor Mike Huckabee.
Virginia Senator George Allen (R) leads Northern Virginia businessman Harris Miller (D) by 30 percentage points in his bid for re-election.
The seesaw in Maryland's Senate race is echoed in the race for Governor. As in the Senate campaign, support for Democratic candidates bulged in November during a politically rough time for Republicans nationally, but has now slackened.
Maryland is proving to be another state to watch in an election year many have predicted will see nationwide gains for Democrats.
Sixty-eight percent (68%) say Alito is likely to be confirmed and serve on the Supreme Court, including 43% who say he is very likely to be confirmed. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans now say Alito should be confirmed.
