Poll finds Pennsylvania’s Specter tied with Toomey in U.S. Senate race

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Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania has lost his lead over his Republican challenger in a November 2010 race that could help determine whether Democrats keep control of the U.S. Senate, according to a poll released today.

Specter, 79, is a longtime Republican who broke with the party in April and joined the Democrats, helping them reach the 60-vote threshold in the 100-member Senate, a super-majority crucial for overcoming Republican opposition to legislation.

The Quinnipiac University survey found voters split 44% to 44% between Specter and Pat Toomey, a former U.S. congressman, when asked who they would elect if they were to vote today.

In a May 4 Quinnipiac University poll, Specter held a 53% to 33% lead over his Republican opponent and has been gradually slipping since.

Though Specter carries a strong lead in the Democratic primary, the Pennsylvania Senate race is one of a handful where Democratic incumbents are facing a challenge.

His overall approval rating is 47%, the poll said.

Quinnipiac said its poll of 1,381 Pennsylvania voters surveyed from Dec. 8 to Dec. 14 had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6% points.

-- Reuters