It should be noted that the poll is from Democrat-aligned Public Policy Polling but if the numbers prove out, the establishment GOP that threw everything it had at propping up an aging Pat Roberts in Kansas during a bruising primary may yet come to regret it.
Independent Greg Orman has opened up a lead in his effort to unseat Republican Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, according to a new poll….
Orman leads Roberts 41-34, with Democrat Chad Taylor — who announced plans to end his campaign earlier this month — capturing 6 percent of the vote. Libertarian Randall Batson earned 4 percent support in the poll, which was first provided to the Huffington Post. The automated phone and online survey of 1,328 likely voters was taken between Sept. 11 and Sept. 14. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 2.7 percentage points.
While the race may yet see some twists and turns, including a court case, at the very least, the GOP will likely be forced to expend resources in Kansas it could have used elsewhere. With Obama’s numbers underwater and Democrats taking a beating nationally on issues like immigration, foreign policy and the economy, the GOP simply should not be doing this poorly in Kansas.
The state Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in the case. Taylor is appealing GOP Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s decision to keep his name on the ballot.
In the other marquee statewide race, Democrat Paul Davis has a slight, 4-point lead over GOP Gov. Sam Brownback, 42 percent to 38 percent, with a Libertarian candidate at 7 percent.