Rand Paul Builds Double-Digit Lead in Race for Kentucky GOP Senate Nod

Rand Paul, son of Texas Rep. Ron Paul and a favorite of the Tea Party movement, has built a big lead over Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the race for the GOP Senate nomination in Kentucky, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted April 9-11.

The race has been depicted as a test of the movement's influence, pitting a candidate trying to capitalize on the voter anger it reflects against an establishment Republican who has won re-election to his position three times. Grayson has fought back with TV ads honing in on Paul's "strange ideas," such as saying "Paul even wonders whether 9/11 was our fault."

Paul is ahead of Grayson by 45 percent to 30 percent with 6 percent for three other candidates and 19 percent undecided.

Conservatives favor Paul by 51 percent to 29 percent with 16 percent undecided. Those who attend religious services regularly or occasionally favor Paul by double-digit margins. Gun owners back Paul 48 percent to 22 percent with 22 percent undecided. There is an income gap between Paul and Grayson supporters: Paul leads among Kentuckians earning less than $50,000 a year by 49 percent to 22 percent with 21 percent undecided, but his margin is much smaller (42 percent to 38 percent) among those earning over $50,000.

The primary is May 18.

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