GOP's Kirk Takes Lead Over Democratic Giannoulias in Illinois Senate Race

Republican Rep. Mark Kirk has taken the lead over Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, the state's Treasurer, in the Illinois Senate race, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted April 5.

Kirk is ahead of Giannoulias by 41 percent to 37 percent with 8 percent preferring some other candidate and 13 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4.5 points. Kirk also had led in a Public Policy Polling survey released earlier this week that had him ahead led 37 percent to 30 percent with 30 percent undecided.

Giannoulias' campaign has been struggling with controversies over the bank owned by Giannoulias' family. The bank is believed to be near collapse and a Chicago Tribune story said the bank lent two convicted felons about $20 million while Giannoulias was a senior loan officer.

Kirk is seen favorably by 51 percent of voters and unfavorably by 36 percent, with 13 percent not knowing enough about him to be sure of their opinion. Giannoulias is seen favorably by 42 percent and unfavorably by 41 percent with 14 percent not sure. Kirk's favorables are not only better, but in the category of those who see each candidate "very" favorably and supposedly are the most committed, Kirk gets 17 percent to 8 percent for Giannoulias.

Kirk gets higher support from fellow Republicans than Giannoulias does from Democrats -- 75 percent to 65 percent -- and Kirk is trouncing Giannoulias among voters unaffiliated with either party, by 64 percent to 16 percent with 7 percent preferring another choice and 14 percent undecided. Seventeen percent of Democrats are undecided about Giannoulias compared to 6 percent of Republicans who are making up their minds about Kirk.

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