WATERLOO, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – Two different polls both show state Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican, with a lead over Democratic U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley in the race for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat.
On Wednesday, USA Today released a poll showing Iowa voters favor Ernst over Braley by a 47 to 43 percent margin, giving the tea party favorite a four-point lead.
Nearly mirroring the aforementioned poll, another Wednesday survey, released by Quinnipiac University, has Ernst with a two-point lead, with likely voters favoring her over Braley by a 47-to-45 percent margin.
"The Iowa Senate race, which could be key to control of the U.S. Senate, is too close to call and likely will remain close all the way to Election Day," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac poll.
The survey further shows a reverse gender gap as women back the Democratic male 52-39 percent, while men back the Republican woman 56-38 percent.
"The gender gap in this race for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat is larger than the wide Missouri. But the twist that makes this Senate race one of the most interesting, in addition to being among the tightest and most important in the country, is the reverse gender gap," said Brown.
"Women are forsaking their sister because she is a Republican. Meanwhile, men are voting for the women candidate by an even larger margin for the same reason. Voters are choosing partisanship over gender when it comes to making their ballot choice."
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com