11/2: Georgia: Perdue Edges Nunn in U.S. Senate Race… Deal Up over Carter in Governor’s Contest

Republican David Perdue, 48%, is narrowly ahead of Democrat Michelle Nunn, 44%, in the contest for U.S. Senate among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early.  Libertarian Amanda Swafford receives 3%.

While Perdue and Nunn have solid support among their respective party’s base, Perdue has a slight advantage among independents likely to vote.  Perdue also edges Nunn among men who are likely to go to the polls and is competitive against Nunn among women who are likely to vote.

If neither Perdue nor Nunn receives 50% of the vote on Tuesday, the contest will go to a runoff in January.  In a two-way matchup, Perdue has 49% to 46% for Nunn among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate.

Turning to the governor’s race in Georgia, Republican incumbent Nathan Deal, 48%, leads Democrat Jason Carter, 43%, by 5 points among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early.  Libertarian Andrew Hunt garners 3%.

If Tuesday’s election were to result in a runoff, Deal, 50%, would be the early favorite against Carter, 46%, among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate.

“In a state that has undergone major demographic changes, Democrats are hoping to score an upset in the senate contest in Georgia to offset expected losses elsewhere,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Although the race for senate is close, Perdue is narrowly in front.”

Complete November 2, 2014 NBC News/Marist Poll of Georgia 

Poll Points U.S. Senate:

  • In the race for U.S. Senate, Perdue receives 48% to 44% for Nunn among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early.   Swafford has the support of 3%, and 4% are undecided.
  • Among early voters, Nunn, 52%, leads Perdue, 45%.  Perdue is the favorite among likely voters still to cast a ballot.
  • While a partisan divide exists, Perdue has the support of 45% of independents likely to vote compared with 39% for Nunn.  Swafford garners 9% of the independent likely electorate.
  • Perdue, 49%, is ahead of Nunn, 43%, among men likely to vote.  Perdue, 47%, and Nunn, 45%, are competitive among women likely to cast a ballot.
  • 64% of likely voters with a candidate preference including early voters are firmly committed to their choice of candidate for U.S. Senate.  More of Nunn’s supporters, 74%, compared with Perdue’s backers, 58%, say they strongly support their choice of candidate.
  • Both Nunn and Perdue are viewed positively by likely voters.  Nunn’s favorable rating is at 49%, and Perdue’s score stands at 47%.
  • Among registered voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or have voted early, Perdue, 45%, and Nunn, 43%, are in a virtual dead heat.  Swafford has 4%.
  • Job creation and economic growth is the key issue in deciding for whom to vote for Congress for 26% of likely voters.  Breaking the partisan gridlock in Washington is second with 17%.  Health care, 13%, and Social Security and Medicare, 12%, follow.  Eight percent mention the deficit and government spending while 7% cite military action against ISIS.  Immigration and looking out for the interests of women trail with 5% and 2%, respectively.
  • If Perdue and Nunn were to compete in a runoff for U.S. Senate, Perdue, receives 49% to 46% for Nunn among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate.

Poll Points Governor:

Marist Poll Methodology

Nature of the Sample and Complete Tables