Latest Round-Up of Polls for Key Senate and Governor Races

Our Saturday roundup of polls and key governor and Senate races updates Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Notable in Saturday's polls:

-- Republican Christine O'Donnell has shaved 9 points off the lead of Democrat Chris Coons in Delaware's Senate race in one poll, although Coons still has a significant lead.

-- SurveyUSA shows Democrat John Kitzhaber pulling ahead of Republican Chris Dudley in Oregon's governor race.

-- In New Hampshire, Republican Kelly Ayotte appears to be burying Democrat Paul Hodes in the Senate race.

-- A Colorado race poll shows the Senate contest still to be within the margin of error.

-- A pair of new polls differ on the Pennsylvania Senate race.

-- Republican Ron Johnson is still ahead of Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold in the Wisconsin Senate race.

You can find all the details and links to the polls under the state headings below.

Check back here for more updates throughout the day.

Arizona

POLLS FROM SATURDAY:

Republican John McCain leads Democrat Rodney Glassman in the Senate race by 52 percent to 32 percent, with 9 percent preferring some other candidate and 7 percent undecided. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 28).

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Republican incumbent Jan Brewer leads Democrat Terry Goddard in the governor's race by 53 percent to 39 percent with 7 percent preferring some other candidate and 1 percent undecided. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 28)

Alaska

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

A new poll by Hays Research of the Alaska Senate race doesn't plug in incumbent Lisa Murkowski by name, but "write-in candidate" -- which is how she's running after her defeat in the GOP primary -- leads the field with 34 percent. Democrat Scott McAdams runs second at 29 percent, and Republican nominee Joe Miller at 23 percent with 13 percent undecided. The poll was conducted Oct. 25-26 and has a margin of error of 4.4 points.

Murkowski is viewed favorably by 55 percent and unfavorably by 42 percent, with 3 percent having no opinion. Miller is seen unfavorably by 68 percent -- with 60 percent viewing him "very" unfavorably -- while 26 percent have a positive view, with 5 percent undecided or not having heard of him. Fifty-five percent see McAdams favorably while 23 percent see him unfavorably, but 21 percent have no opinion of him or never heard of him.

Arizona

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Republican incumbent Jan Brewer is leading Democrat Terry Goddard, the state's attorney general, in the governor's race by 52 percent to 44 percent, according to a Daily Kos/Public Policy Polling survey conducted Oct. 23-24.

The same poll shows Sen. John McCain leading Democrat Rodney Glassman by 56 percent to 38 percent, with 6 percent undecided.

Arkansas

POLLS RELEASED WEDNESDAY:

Republican John Boozman is leading Democratic incumbent Blanche Lincoln in the Senate race by 48 percent to 36 percent with 16 percent undecided, according to a University of Arkansas poll conducted Oct. 8-20.

Poll director Janine Parry said, "This election, as always in Arkansas, lies in the hands of people not closely aligned with either major party. Both parties are losing loyalists in a rough economy, meaning the percentage of unaffiliated respondents has swelled to the largest proportion we've recorded."

Forty-four percent of those identifying themselves as independents felt closer to the Republican party and, when it comes to those who are likely voters, the number rises to 50 percent. Only 21 percent of independents and 16 percent of very likely independent voters favored the Democratic Party, according to the poll.

California

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer leads Republican Carly Fiorina 49 percent to 41 percent with 10 percent undecided, according to a Field Poll conducted Oct. 20-26. The margin of error is 3.2 points. Boxer had led by 47 percent to 41 percent in Field's September poll.

Democrat Jerry Brown is leading Republican Meg Whitman by 49 percent to 45 percent with 2 percent for some other candidate and 3 percent undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 27. The margin of error is 4 points. Last week, Brown's margin in this poll was 48 percent to 42 percent.

Rasmussen Reports, in a poll conducted Oct. 27, says Boxer leads Fiorina by 49 percent to 46 percent with 2 percent for some other candidate and 3 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 point.

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Brown leads Whitman by 49 percent to 39 percent with 12 percent undecided or preferring other candidates, according to a Field Poll conducted Oct. 14-26. The margin of error is 3.2 points. Field says Brown is shoring up his support among women, nonpartisans and Latinos.

Boxer leads Fiorina by 49 percent to 46 percent with 2 percent favoring some other candidate and 3 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. Last week, Boxer led 48 percent to 46 percent. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 27)

Colorado

POLLS FROM SATURDAY:

Republican Ken Buck leads Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet in the Senate race by 49 percent to 45 percent with 3 percent for some other candidate and 3 percent undecided, according to a McClatchy/Marist Institute poll conducted Oct. 26-28. The margin of error is 4 points. The poll says, "Almost half of registered voters in Colorado -- 48 percent -- are very enthusiastic about voting on Tuesday. Conservatives are more enthusiastic than liberals. Republicans are slightly more so than Democrats."

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Democrat John Hickenlooper leads American Constitution Party candidate Tom Tancredo by 47 percent to 42 percent in the governor's race, with 5 percent for Republican Dan Maes, 6 percent for some other candidate and 1 percent undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 28. The margin of error is 4 points. On Oct. 14, Hickenlooper led Tancredo by 42 percent to 38 percent.

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Buck leads Bennet in the Senate race by 48 percent to 44 percent with 3 percent preferring some other candidate and 6 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. In an Oct. 14 poll, Buck had led 47 percent to 45 percent. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 25).

Connecticut

POLLS FROM TUESDAY:

Democrat Richard Blumenthal is holding on to a comfortable lead over Republican Linda McMahon in their race to fill the Senate seat left open by the retirement of Christopher Dodd, but Democrat Dan Malloy is in a much closer contest in his gubernatorial bid against Republican Tom Foley, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Oct. 18-24.

Blumenthal, the state's attorney general, leads McMahon, the former head of World Wrestling Entertainment, by 54 percent to 42 percent with 3 percent undecided. The margin of error is 3.7 points. That's about the same margin Blumenthal had two weeks ago. Only 6 percent of voters in each camp say they may yet change their minds. As has been the case in most every poll on this race, Blumenthal is seen favorably by a wide margin, while McMahon is viewed unfavorably by a majority of voters -- which some have seen as a backlash against her well-funded campaign of negative TV ads and direct mail.

"Linda McMahon has tried to raise Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's negatives over the last several weeks, but she hasn't been successful," said Quinnipiac's Douglas Schwartz. "He remains popular, but McMahon's own negatives have risen above 50 percent. One has to wonder if over the last few weeks McMahon would have been better off spending more of her millions on positive ads."

In the governor's race, Malloy, the mayor of Stamford, leads Foley, a businessman and former ambassador to Ireland, by 48 percent to 43 percent with 7 percent undecided in the Quinnipiac poll. The margin of error is 3.7 points. In mid-October, Malloy had led by 49 percent to 42 percent, and in late September by 45 percent to 42 percent. There's room for a shift in this race because 12 percent of Malloy voters say they could change their minds and the same is the case for 10 percent of Foley backers.

A Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research poll conducted Oct. 23 has Blumenthal out in front by 53 percent to 42 percent with 2 percent for some other candidate and 3 percent undecided.

A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 24 has Malloy leading by a smaller margin, 49 percent to 46 percent with 2 percent preferring some other candidate and 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

The Oct. 23 Fox News poll put Malloy ahead of Foley by a statistically insignificant 47 percent to 43 percent with 3 percent preferring some other candidate and 6 percent undecided. The margin of error is 3 points.

Delaware

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Democrat Chris Coons leads Republican Christine O'Donnell in the Senate race by 51 percent to 41 percent with 4 percent favoring some other candidate and 4 percent undecided, according to a Monmouth University poll conducted Oct. 25-27. The margin of error is 2.p points. Two weeks ago in this poll, Coons had led by 57 percent to 38 percent. Monmouth's Patrick Murray said, ""While Coons still has the advantage, it has to be uncomfortable knowing that O'Donnell was able to shave 9 points off his lead in just two weeks. The interesting thing is that while her vote total has risen, the majority of Delaware voters still say she is unqualified for the post."

Coons is leading O'Donnell by 57 percent to 36 percent with 5 percent undecided, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll conducted Oct. 20-26. Forty-eight percent see Coons favorably, 36 percent view him unfavorably with 13 percent not sure or having no opinion. O'Donnell is seen unfavorably by 54 percent (with 44 percent seeing her "very" unfavorably) while 34 percent see her favorably, with 12 percent not sure or having no opinion.

Florida

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Republican Marco Rubio leads the three-way Senate race with 50 percent followed by independent Charlie Crist at 30 percent and Democrat Kendrick Meek at 16 percent, with 4 percent undecided or for some other candidate. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 27).

Rubio leads Crist in the Senate race by 45 percent to 28 percent with Meek at 21 percent, according to a Mason-Dixon Research poll conducted Oct. 25-27 for Florida news organizations. Mason-Dixon's Brad Coker said, "There is simply no mathematical formula by which Crist or Meek can approach Rubio's 45 percent support level."

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Democrat Alex Sink has a slight lead over Republican Rick Scott in a close contest for governor, while independent Charlie Crist has cut into Republican Marco Rubio's lead in the state's Senate race but not enough challenge Rubio's status as the favorite, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Oct. 18-24. Sink, the state's chief financial officer, leads Scott, the wealthy former health care executive, by 45 percent to 41 percent with 11 percent undecided. Rubio leads Crist by 42 percent to 35 percent with 15 percent for Democrat Kendrick Meek and 7 percent undecided. The margin of error is 3.5 points. (See full article).

Rasmussen Reports, in a poll conducted Oct. 27, has Scott ahead by 48 percent to 45 percent with 3 percent for some other candidate and 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. Scott had led by 50 percent to 44 percent in Rasmussen's Oct. 18 poll.

A Mason-Dixon Research poll conducted Oct. 18-24 has Sink leading Scott 46 percent to 43 percent with 4 percent preferring another candidate and 7 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

Scott has inched back ahead of Sink in the wake of their Monday night debate, leading her by 47 percent to 45 percent with 7 percent preferring someone else and 2 percent undecided, according to a Sunshine State Poll conducted Oct. 24-25. Prior to the faceoff, the two were tied at 45 percent each and, in an Oct. 12-13 poll, Sink had led 48 percent to 45 percent. Pollster Jim Lee told the Sunshine News, "These two are so evenly matched that for the last three weeks they have traded the lead more than once -- yet the election is now in Scott's favor."

Georgia

POLLS FROM TUESDAY:

Republican Nathan Deal leads Democrat Roy Barnes 49 percent to 39 percent with 5 percent for Libertarian John Monds, 5 percent for some other candidate and 1 percent undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 24. The margin of error is 4 points. Deal slipped backed from the 50 percent mark he had hit in an Oct. 6 poll. If the winner doesn't notch 50 percent, it forces a run-off. Deal is seen unfavorably by 49 percent and favorably by 48 percent, with 6 percent undecided. Barnes is seen unfavorably 53 percent compared to 40 percent who see him favorably, with 6 percent not sure. Deal has a double-digit lead among unaffiliated voters.

A WSB-TV/InsiderAdvantage poll conducted Oct. 24 has Deal leading Barnes by 47 percent to 41 percent with 5 percent for Monds and 7 percent undecided. The margin of error is 2 points.

Hawaii

POLLS FROM MONDAY:

Democrat Neil Abercrombie is leading Republican James "Duke" Aiona in the governor's race by 51 percent to 43 percent. The margin of error is 4 points. The outgoing governor is Republican Linda Lingle. (Honolulu Star Advertiser, Oct. 12-19).

Illinois

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

Republican Mark Kirk leads Democrat Alexi Giannoulias by 46 percent to 42 percent with 5 percent for Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones, 5 percent for some other candidate and 2 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. A week ago, Kirk led by 44 percent to 40 percent. The two haven't been separated by more than 4 points since the Labor Day start of the campaign season. Voters view both candidates unfavorably. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 26).

POLLS FROM TUESDAY:

Republican Bill Brady leads Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn in the race for governor by 43 percent to 39 percent with 5 percent for independent Scott Lee Cohen, 4 percent for Green Party candidate Rich Whitney, 2 percent for Libertarian Lex Green and 6 percent undecided, according to a Chicago Tribune/WGN poll conducted Oct. 18-22. The margin of error is 3.7 points. In the last poll about a month ago, Quinn had 39 percent to Brady's 38 percent.

The Tribune reports, "Much of Brady's advance may be due to a heavy dose of negative TV advertising against Quinn, largely funded through donations by the Republican Governors Association. Quinn has also aired his share of attack ads at Brady, but is outmatched in the money game."

One question is the impact of Cohen's small but noticeable amount of support in the race. Cohen had won the nomination to run as the Democrat's lieutenant governor candidate but dropped out after a series of damaging disclosures. He has spent almost $6 million of his own money on the race, the Tribune reports.

Almost a third of voters don't know enough about Brady to have an opinion of him. But if that's a disadvantage, Quinn suffers from the fact that 41 percent see him unfavorably compared to 34 percent who see him favorably. Quinn, of course, is the man who took over the governorship 21 months ago after the ignominious exist of Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached.

A Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research poll conducted Oct. 23 has Brady ahead by 43 percent to 39 percent with Cohen at 6 percent, Whitney at 4 percent and 6 percent undecided. The margin of error is 3 points. In last week's poll, Brady led by 46 percent to 36 percent. Quinn's unfavorable number is high in this poll as well -- 52 percent view him negatively.

In the equally close Senate race, Republican Mark Kirk leads Democrat Alexi Giannoulias by 43 percent to 41 percent with Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones at 7 percent and 9 percent undecided, according to The Fox poll. The margin of error is 3 points. Kirk led last week by two points. Both Kirk and Giannoulias, each of whom has had to deal with damaging stories about their backgrounds, are regarded negatively by voters.

Indiana

POLLS FROM MONDAY:

Former Republican Sen. Dan Coats looks like a cinch to return to the Senate from Indiana, with a new poll showing him ahead of Democrat Brad Ellsworth by 53 percent to 35 percent, with Libertarian Rebecca Sink Burris at 5 percent and the remainder undecided. This is the seat being given up by Democrat Evan Bayh. (EPIC-MRA, Oct. 19-21).

A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 20 had Coats ahead by 52 percent to 34 percent with 5 percent for some other candidate and 9 percent undecided.

Kentucky

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Republican Rand Paul is leading Democrat Jack Conway in the Senate race by 53 percent to 41 percent with 2 percent preferring some other candidate and 4 percent undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 27.

SurveyUSA, in a poll conducted Oct. 24-27, has Paul leading by 52 percent to 43 percent with 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

Paul has hit the 50 percent mark in his race against Conway who is attracting 43 percent of the vote, with 3 percent liking neither and 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 3.5 points. Paul is leading among independents by 63 percent to 26 percent. (CNN/Time/Opinion Research, Oct. 20-26).

Maine

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

A Public Policy Polling survey conducted Oct. 26-28 has Republican Paul LePage leading with 40 percent, followed by independent Eliot Cutler at 28 percent, Democrat Libby Mitchell at 24 percent, two other candidates splitting 5 percent and 2 percent undecided. The margin of error is 2.3 points. PPP says the "enthusiasm gap" is weighing heavily in LePage's favor and adds, ""Paul LePage looks like he'll waltz into office because the Democratic vote is being split too evenly between Eliot Cutler and Libby Mitchell."

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

LePage now is ahead with 40 percent, while Mitchell and Cutler are tied at 26 percent each, with 4 percent preferring some other candidate and 5 percent undecided. In an Oct. 12 poll, LePage had led Mitchell by only 35 percent to 32 percent, with 21 percent for Cutler. While LePage gets 81 percent support from fellow Republicans, Mitchell is down to 48 percent backing from Democrats, with Cutler taking 37 percent of the Democratic votes. In the last poll, Mitchell still had 65 percent of the Democrats compared to 18 percent for Cutler. Cutler's background is as a Democrat, having served in the Carter administration and as an aide to the late Sen. Edmund Muskie. A LePage victory would mean a Republican pickup since the job is currently held by Democrat John Baldacci. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 26).

Maryland

POLLS FROM MONDAY

Democrat Martin O'Malley leads Republican Bob Ehrlich by 54 percent to 40 percent with 3 percent preferring another choice and 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 2.5 points. In a Sept. 26 poll, O'Malley had led by 49 percent to 35 percent. Seven percent of Ehrlich supports and 6 percent of O'Malley backers say there is a good chance they might change their minds. O'Malley beats Ehrlich on the question of who "understands the problems of people like you" by 51 percent to 36 percent with the remainder undecided or in the "both/neither" column. (Washington Post, Oct. 19-22).

Rasmussen Reports, in a poll conducted Oct. 24, has O'Malley ahead 52 percent to 42 percent with 2 percent for some other candidate and 5 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

Massachusetts

POLLS FROM SATURDAY:

Democratic incumbent Deval Patrick leads Republican Charlie Baker in the governor's race by 42 percent to 37 percent with 11 percent for independent Tim Cahill, 3 percent for Green Party candidate Jill Stein and 6 percent undecided or refsued to respond. The margin of error is 5 points.(Western New England College Polling Institute, Oct. 24-28).

POLLS FROM THURSDAY AND FRIDAY:

There are two conflicting polls on the Massachusetts governor's race.

A Suffolk University/7News poll conducted Oct. 25-27 shows Patrick leading Baker by 46 percent to 39 percent with 9 percent for independent Cahill, 2 percent for Stein and 5 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 27 shows Patrick ahead of Baker by just 46 percent to 44 percent, with 6 percent for Cahill, 3 percent for some other candidate and 1 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

Michigan

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Republican newcomer Rick Snyder leads Democrat Virg Bernero in the governor's race by 53 percent to 38 percent with 8 percent undecided. Pollster Richard Czuba said, "There is a Republican tide in Michigan" that is also extending to down-ticket races. A Snyder victory would represent a GOP pickup of a governor's seat since the job is now held by Democrat Jennifer Granholm. (Detroit News/WDIV, Oct. 25-26).

Minnesota

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

In contrast to other polls, a SurveyUSA poll conducted Oct. 24-27 finds a tight race between Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer, with Dayton leading Emmer by only 39 percent to 38 percent, with 13 percent for independent Tom Horner and 6 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Dayton, a former one-term senator, leads Emmer, a member of the state House, by 41 percent to 29 percent with 11 percent for independent Tom Horner and 20 percent undecided, according to a Minnesota Public Radio/Humphrey Institute poll conducted Oct. 21-25. In its September poll, Dayton had led Emmer by 38 percent to 27 percent, with Horner getting 16 percent.

MPR/Humphrey says one reason for Dayton's success compared to other states where there is a rising GOP tide is that when it comes to the engagement of voters, "the story is quite different in Minnesota." Democrats are matching Republicans as far as enthusiasm in this election. This is a chance for Democrats to make a gubernatorial pickup since the job is currently help by the GOP's Tim Pawlenty. Democrats have been shut out of the job since Rudy Perpich finished his two terms in 1991.

POLLS FROM SUNDAY:

Dayton leads Emmer by 41 percent to 34 percent followed by Horner, with 13 percent undecided. The margin of error is 3.9 points. (Star Tribune Minnesota Poll, Oct. 18-21).

Missouri

POLLS FROM LAST WEEK:

Republican Roy Blunt is leading Democrat Robin Carnahan in the Senate race by 49 percent to 40 percent with 3 percent for other candidates and 8 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, KMOV, Oct. 18-20).

Blunt leads Carnahan by 52 percent to 43 percent, with 2 percent for some other candidate and 3 percent undecided. Last week, Blunt led by about the same margin. The margin of error is 4 points. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 19).

Blunt leads Carnahan 49 percent to 43 percent with 3 percent preferring some other candidate and 5 percent undecided. Seven percent of those supporting each candidate say they could change their minds. The margin of error is 3 points. (Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research, Oct. 16).

New Hampshire

Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democrat Paul Hodes by 56 percent to 41 percent with 3 percent undecided in the race to fill the Senate seat of the GOP's Judd Gregg, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Oct. 27-29. The margin of error is 2.7 points.

In the race for governor, Democrat John Lynch leads Republican John Stephen by 53 percent to 44 percent with 3 percent undecided.

"Hodes never emerged as a strong candidate," PPP said. Fifty percent of voters see him unfavorably to only 34 percent who rate him in a positive light. Independents don't like him and the number of Democrats who dislike him is greater than the number of Republicanswho do like him...Democrats are lucky John Lynch is so popular or else the GOP would be headed for a sweep in New Hampshire this year."

Nevada

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Republican Sharron Angle leads Democrat Harry Reid in the Senate race by 49 percent to 45 percent with 1 percent for some other candidate and 3 percent undecided, according to a Mason-Dixon Research poll conducted Oct. 25-27 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal poll. The margin of error is 5 points.

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

It's been clear for months now that Republican Brian Sandoval, a former state attorney general and federal judge, had the race for governor well in hand, and the latest poll is just another confirmation of that. Sandoval leads Rory Reid, son of Harry, by 58 percent to 35 percent with 5 percent for some other candidate and 2 percent undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 25. Sandoval has held double-digit leads over Reid in 16 matchups done by Rasmussen dating back to February.

Republican Sharron Angle leads Democrat Harry Reid by 49 percent to 45 percent in the Senate race with 2 percent for Scott Ashjian, who is running as a Tea Party candidate and 3 percent who don't like any of the choices. With Ashjian out of the race, Angle would be leading by 51 percent to 45 percent. The margin of error is 3.5 points. (CNN/Time/Opinion Research, Oct. 20-26).

POLLS FROM TUESDAY:

Angle leads Reid by 49 percent to 45 percent with 4 percent preferring some other candidate and 2 percent undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 25. The margin of error is 4 points. A week ago, Angle had led by 3 points and, the week before that by 1 point. Both have high negatives with the voters. Reid is seen unfavorably by 56 percent (with 51 percent saying they see him "very" unfavorably") while 43 percent see him favorably. Angle is seen unfavorably by 52 percent (with 43 percent seeing her "very" unfavorably) compared to 46 percent who see her favorably.

New Hampshire

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democrat Paul Hodes in the race to fill the seat left open by the GOP's Judd Gregg by 56 percent to 41 percent,with 3 percent undecided, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Oct. 27-29. The margin of error is 2.7 points.

PPP's poll also shows Democrat John Lynch running ahead of Republican John Stephen in the race for governor by 53 percent to 44 percent, with 3 percent undecided.

PPP's Dean Debnam said, "When Judd Gregg announced his retirement I don't think anyone could have imagined Republicans would retain his seat by such a large margin. Democrats are lucky John Lynch is so popular or else the GOP would be headed for a sweep in New Hampshire this year."

New Mexico

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Republican Susan Martinez leads Democrat Diane Denish by 52 percent to 42 percent with 2 percent preferring some other candidate and 4 percent undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 24. The margin of error is 4 points. The gap between Martinez and Denish was about the same in two previous Rasmussen polls, putting the Republicans in a position to retake a governorship that is now held by Democrat Bill Richardson. Martinez is a district attorney and the first Hispanic woman to win a major party nomination for governor. Denish is lieutenant government, and Richardson's current unpopularity in the state -- 57 percent disapprove of the job he is doing as governor -- has been a drag on her.

New York

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

There's never been much doubt that, barring surprises, the Democrats in blue New York were going to withstand the Republican tide, and a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Oct. 18-24 underlines the point, showing Democrat Andrew Cuomo ahead of Republican Carl Paladino by 55 percent to 34 percent with 7 percent undecided in the governor's race, and first-term Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand leading Republican Joe DioGuardi by 57 percent to 34 percent with 7 percent undecided in her bid for re-election.

North Carolina

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Democrat Elaine Marshall just hasn't been able to gain any traction in her challenge to first term Republican Sen. Richard Burr, even though several polls have shown him with lackluster job approval and favorability numbers with voters. The latest poll, conducted Oct. 22-25 by SurveyUSA, demonstrates that again, showing Burr ahead of her by 43 percent to 38 percent with 5 percent for Libertarian Michael Beitler and 3 percent undecided.

Ohio

POLLS FROM SATURDAY:

Republican Rob Portman leads Democrat Lee Fisher in the Senate race by 57 percent to 33 percent with 3 percent for some other candidate and 7 percent undecided. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 26)

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Republican John Kasich leads Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland in the governor's race by 48 percent to 44 percent with 3 percent for some other candidate and 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. In the previous poll, Kasich led by 48 percent to 45 percent. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct.26).

A SurveyUSA poll, conducted Oct. 22-26, has Kasich ahead by 49 percent to 44 percent with 4 percent for other candidates and 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. Kasich is leading among independents (22 percent of the sample) by 17 points.

In the Senate race, SurveyUSA says Portman leads Fisher by 52 percent to 37 percent with 6 percent for other candidates and 4 percent undecided.

Oregon

POLLS FROM SATURDAY:

Democrat John Kitzhaber has pulled ahead of Republican Chris Dudley in the governor's race, leading him 48 percent to 41 percent with 2 percent for other candidates and 8 percent undecided, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted Oct. 23-28. The margin of error is 4.2 points.

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

Two new polls show the governor's race between Republican newcomer Chris Dudley and Democrat John Kitzhaber to be a dead heat.

A poll by Davis, Hibbits & Migdall reported by the Portland Tribune conducted Oct. 24-25 has Dudley ahead of Kitzhaber by 46 percent to 43 percent with 2 percent for other candidates and 10 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4.4 points. The Tribune said, "In effect, Oregon voters haven't budged much since the May primary, despite more than $12 million in campaign spending by both sides."

A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 25 has Dudley leading Kitzhaber by 49 percent to 46 percent with 3 percent preferring some other candidate and 3 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. In an Oct. 10 poll, Kitzhaber had led by 48 percent to 46 percent. Voters are divided at 42 percent each about whether they favor a candidate with political experience (Kitzhaber is a former two-term governor) or a candidate who has never held office, (Dudley is a former pro basketball player who went into financial consulting). Both candidates are seen favorably by voters. Dudley is doing better than Kitzhaber as far as the level of support from their respective parties, and has a modest lead among unaffiliated voters.

Pennsylvania

POLLS FROM SATURDAY:

Republican Pat Toomey leads Democrat Joe Sestak in the Senate race by 45 percent to 43 percent with 12 percent undecided, according to the Muhlenberg College/Allentown Morning Call Daily Tracking poll. The margin of error is 5 points. On the previous day, Toomey led 47 percent to 42 percent.

A McClatchy/Marist Institute poll, conducted Oct. 26-28, shows a different result: Toomey leading 52 percent to 45 percent with 1 percent preferring some other candidate and 2 percent undecided. The margin of error is 5 points.

The Muhlenberg poll says Republican Tom Corbett leads Democrat Dan Onorato in the governor's race by 50 percent to 41 percent, with 9 percent undecided.

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Oct. 28 has Toomey leading Sestak by 50 percent to 46 percent with 1 percent for some other candidate and 3 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

Toomey is leading Sestak in the Senate race by 48 percent to 40 percent with 12 percent undecided among likely voters, with "leaners" for each candidate included, according to a Franklin & Marshall College poll conducted Oct. 18-24. In the governor's race, Republican Tom Corbett leads Democrat Dan Onorato by 51 percent to 35 percent with 11 percent undecided. The margin of error for both polls is 4.4 points.

Franklin & Marshall says, "Democrats are at a decided disadvantage when it comes to voter motivation. Only 36 percent of Democrats fall into the most likely to vote category compared to 49 percent of Republicans ... Another example of the gap in partisan enthusiasm is that only one in three (33 percent) of those who voted for Obama in 2008 are in the most likely to vote category versus half (52 percent) of McCain voters."

Rhode Island

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Republican-turned-independent John Chafee is in the lead in the governor's race with 33 percent, followed by Democrat Frank Caprio at 26 percent, Republican John Robitaille at 26 percent (rounded up from 25.5 percent) and Moderate Party candidate Ken Block at 4 percent, with 11 percent undecided, according to a WPRI-TV poll conducted Oct. 2-15. The margin of error is 4.4 points.

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Chafee is out in front in the four-way race for governor with 35 percent, followed by Robitaille at 28 percent, Caprio at 25 percent, Block at 2 percent and 10 percent undecided. Caprio had led Chafee in the last poll released Oct. 12, with Robitaille in third place. (NBC 10/Quest Research, Oct. 23-26).

POLLS FROM LAST WEEK:

Chafee leads Caprio 35 percent to 28 percent in the race for governor with 25 percent for Robitaille. Six percent back Block and 6 percent are undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. In an Oct. 4 poll, Chafee had led Caprio by only 33 percent to 30 percent, with 22 percent for Robitaille. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 21).

South Carolina

POLLS FROM LAST WEEK:

Republican Nikki Haley leads Democrat Vincent Sheheen by 51 percent to 37 percent with 3 percent for some other candidate and 9 percent undecided. (InsiderAdvantage, Oct. 19)

Haley is leading Sheheen by 47 percent to 38 percent in the race to succeed GOP Gov. Mark Sanford, with 4 percent preferring some other candidate and 11 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4.5 points. In a Sept. 22 poll, Haley had held a 50 percent to 33 percent margin. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 19). See related story.

Texas

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Republican incumbent Rick Perry leads Democrat Bill White by 53 percent to 44 percent, with 3 percent undecided, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Oct. 26-28. The margin of error is 4.1 points. PPP notes that while White, the former mayor of Houston, has a more positive image than Perry, "it may be a classic case of the right candidate running in the wrong cycle ... To win as a Democrat in Texas you're going to have to win a fair amount of crossover support from Republican voters and in the end White just wasn't able to do it."

Washington

POLLS FROM FRIDAY:

Democratic incumbent Patty Murray and Republican Dino Rossi are tied at 47 percent each with 6 percent undecided, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted Oct. 24-27. The margin of error is 3.8 points.

A KCTS9/WPLU poll released Friday has Murray leading Rossi by 49 percent to 45 percent. The margin of error is 4 points.

POLLS FROM THURSDAY:

Rossi and Murray remain locked in a tight race, with Rossi ahead by 48 percent to 47 percent with 3 percent for some other candidate with 2 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.


West Virginia

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

Democrat Joe Manchin leads Republican John Raese by 49 percent to 46 percent with 2 percent favoring some other candidate and 4 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. Last week, Raese led by 50 percent to 43 percent. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 26).

POLLS FROM TUESDAY:

Republican John Raese has a statistically insignificant 48 percent to 46 percent lead over Democrat Joe Manchin in their race to fill the Senate seat of the late Robert Byrd, according to a Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research poll conducted Oct. 23. The margin of error is 3 points. This outcome is at odds with a Public Policy Polling survey from Monday indicating that Manchin was getting traction in the race. Nine percent of Raese supports and 7 percent of Manchin backers say they could yet change their minds.

As close as the race is, Manchin remains hugely popular with 69 percent approving of the job he is doing as governor. But asked whether a desire to keep him in that job was a factor in deciding their Senate vote, 62 percent said it was not.

There is a strong anti-Democrat and anti-President Obama tide running in the state, and 54 percent say that Manchin sides too often with Obama on policy issues -- an impression he has been trying to dispel, even declining the other day to say whether he would support Obama for a second term, or, if elected to the Senate, support Harry Reid for majority leader.

Raese's baggage is that 50 percent of voters believe he is out of touch with West Virginia families, while 39 percent disagree, with 11 percent undecided. Raese's wife and two children live in Palm Beach, Fla. Democrats have been trying to portray him as a rich, out-of-state opportunist and have run an ad saying "John Raese thinks we're hicks" and notes that Raese's wife is registered to vote in Florida.

Wisconsin

POLLS FROM SATURDAY:

Republican Ron Johnson is leading Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold in the Senate race by 52 percent to 45 percent with 1 percent favoring some other candidate and 2 percent undecided, according to a McClatchy/Marist Institute poll conducted Oct. 26-28. The margin of error is 4.5 points.

POLLS FROM WEDNESDAY:

Republican Scott Walker, the Milwaukee county executive, is leading Democrat Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee mayor, by 52 percent to 42 percent in the race for governor, with 2 percent preferring some other candidate and 3 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points. This is the third poll since Sept. 29 where Walker has been at the crucial 50 percent mark or above. Walker benefits by getting 96 percent support from fellow Republicans while Barrett has 83 percent support from Democrats. Walker has a big advantage among unaffiliated voters. (Rasmussen Reports, Oct. 25)

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