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By Dustin Hurst ǀ Watchdog.org
U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg
HELENA — Republican U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg’s lead against incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester is shrinking.
A new poll of 500 likely Montana voters shows Rehberg still holds an edge in the race for the U.S. Senate seat, but it is tighter than ever.
The poll, conducted Monday by Rasmussen Reports, a top national political survey firm, said 49 percent of respondents prefer Rehberg, while 47 percent favor Tester. Another 2 percent are undecided.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester
The margin separating Tester and Rehberg is well within the plus or minus 4.5 percentage point margin of error.
According to Rasmussen’s numbers, Tester is gaining in the contest. An early May Rasmussen survey had Rehberg ahead of Tester by 10 points.
However, a May 1 Public Policy Polling survey of 934 voters has Tester with a 5-point lead over Rehberg.
The PPP sample had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
None of the polls mention Libertarian Dan Cox, of Darby.
Cox and Tester are set to debate at 9 a.m. Sunday during the annual Montana Broadcasters Association meeting in Whitefish. Rehberg said he was never invited to the event and will not be participating.
