Poll: Herseth Sandlin 'virtually tied' with Nelson

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., is now “virtually tied” with one Republican opponent but is still ahead of two others in her re-election bid, according to Rasmussen Reports.

The firm’s recent survey of likely South Dakota voters finds Herseth Sandlin with 44 percent support to Republican Chris Nelson’s 42 percent. Six percent prefer another candidate, and nine percent are undecided.

A month ago, in the first Rasmussen Reports survey of the race, the Democratic incumbent led Nelson by seven points, 45 percent to 38 percent. Nelson is South Dakota’s secretary of state.

The other possible GOP nominees for the seat are running closer races this month, too. Herseth Sandlin leads state Rep. Kristi Noem 46 percent to 35 percent. In February, the incumbent led 49 percent to 34 percent. Eight percent like another candidate. Ten percent are undecided.

Herseth Sandlin leads state Rep. Blake Curd 45 percent to 33 percent. A month ago, she was ahead 53 percent to 31 percent. Given this match-up, 8 percent opt for another candidate, and 14 percent are undecided.

“The most significant finding in this data is not the individual match-ups but the level of support for the incumbent,” noted Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports. “Herseth Sandlin earns between 44 percent and 46 percent support against each Republican. To keep her job, the incumbent has some work to do between now and November.”

Tags: election 2010, stephanie herseth sandlin, chris nelson, blake curd, kristi noem, daily updates, news, congress, politics, state