GOP’s Sharron Angle has edge over Nevada’s Harry Reid going into TV debate

A new poll of the Nevada Senate race shows “tea party” favorite Sharron Angle with a slight lead over Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, as the candidates are set to meet for the first time Thursday night in a much-anticipated televised debate.

The Mason-Dixon poll of 625 likely voters found Angle leading Reid 48% to 46%. It’s the first time Angle has led that particular poll since winning the June 8 Republican primary.

For all the focus on Wednesday’s nationally televised Delaware Senate debate, Democrat Chris Coons has had a sizable lead over Christine O’Donnell in virtually every public poll. But with five recent surveys in Nevada showing neither candidate with a lead beyond the margin of error, tonight’s meeting could be a real watershed moment.

“Tonight, Sharron takes the stage as a voice for the frustrated of Nevada. Those frustrated with the direction of Washington and frustrated by the failure of Harry Reid,” said Jarrod Agen, Angle campaign spokesman. “With Sharron Angle as their voice, tonight is the first time that all of Nevada gets to tell Harry Reid to his face that he has failed them.”

Reid’s campaign, meanwhile, released a list of 400 Nevada Republicans who have endorsed his re-election bid.

“No matter how hard they try, Sharron Angle’s D.C. handlers can’t stop the embarrassing exodus of Nevada Republicans turned off by her extreme and dangerous agenda,” said Reid campaign spokesman Jon Summers.

Reid’s campaign also launched a new ad featuring the Republican mayor of Reno, Bob Cashell, who calls Angle’s ideas “wild.”

Angle’s campaign, flush with cash after an astounding third-quarter fundraising haul, also released a new TV spot highlighting Reid’s votes for tax increases.

The candidates will not be the only ones seeking to influence Nevada voters. Reflecting the national significance of the contest, major rallies are planned in the state in the coming week — one aimed at ousting Reid, and the other seeking to keep him in office.

Tea Party Express, the Sacramento-based political group that has notched major upsets in Republican primaries this year, plans four stops in the state on Monday and Tuesday. President Obama will travel to the Silver State the following Friday for several events for his congressional ally.

mmemoli@tribune.com

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