Central County : Dornan Releases Poll That Says He’s Ahead

Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) has released a poll taken in his 38th Congressional District showing him with a 19-point lead over his chief opponent, Democratic Assemblyman Richard Robinson.

The poll, in which 400 voting residents of the central Orange County district were interviewed, showed 48% for Dornan, 29% for Robinson and 5% for Libertarian Party candidate Lee Connelly, according to Brian O’Leary Bennett, Dornan’s campaign manager. Slightly fewer than one in five of those surveyed, or 18%, were undecided.

“Obviously, my record of service . . . has not gone unnoticed,” said Dornan.

Earlier this month, Robinson’s campaign released a poll showing that 42% thought Dornan would win the election if it were held that day, while 33% thought Robinson would win. Robinson campaign officials said the 9% gap showed that Dornan is politically vulnerable. The race is expected to be one of the nation’s most expensive and bitterly contested congressional campaigns.