Democratic Challenger to Bennet Would Do Better Against GOP Contenders

Former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet for the party's Senate nomination, runs more strongly than Bennet against the field of potential Republican challengers, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted March 2.

Bennet has struggled to get a political foothold in the state since he was appointed last year to take the seat vacated by Ken Salazar, who went to Washington to be President Obama's Interior secretary.

"Bennet's continuing inability to gain ground suggests that incumbency is one of his biggest problems," said Rasmussen. "Voter unhappiness with the national health care plan championed by President Obama and with the continuing bad economy is causing problems for a number of incumbent Democrats."

Former GOP Lt. Gov. Jane Norton leads Romanoff by 44 percent to 42 percent with 6 percent preferring another candidate and 9 percent undecided. She leads Bennet 48 percent to 39 percent with 7 percent preferring someone else and 6 percent undecided.

Romanoff is tied at 41 percent each with former state Sen. Tom Wiens with 6 percent preferring someone else and 13 percent undecided. Wiens has a statistically insignificant 43-percent-to-40-percent lead over Bennet with 7 percent preferring someone else and 11 percent undecided.

Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck has a 41 percent to 40 percent edge over Romanoff with 6 percent preferring someone else and 13 percent undecided. Buck leads Bennet 44 percent to 38 percent with 6 percent preferring someone else and 11 percent undecided.

The margin of error is 4.5 points.

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