2014 Senate Polls Update: Republicans Roll in Kentucky, Iowa, Kansas

PPP, 8/7-8/10
Kentucky Senate

McConnell (R): 47
Grimes (D): 42

Rasmussen, 8/6-8/7
Kansas Senate

Roberts (R): 44
Taylor (D): 40

Rasmussen, 8/11-8/12
Iowa Senate

Ernst (R): 43
Braley (D): 43

We saw a handful of new Senate polls released this week as November quickly approaches and the campaign ads get increasingly vicious. As we have reported in the last couple of weeks, Republicans continue to lead in many of the toss-up races around the country.

According to a new PPP poll, conducted between August 7 and August 10, Kentucky Senator and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell continues to lead Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes, extending his lead to 5 percent. In a July Courier-Journal Survey USA poll, McConnell led by 2 percent. In a July CBS News/New York Times poll, McConnell led by 4 percent.

The other races have to make McConnell hopeful that he can become the majority leader in the Senate come 2015.

In Kansas, Republican incumbent Pat Roberts leads Democratic challenger Chad Taylor by 4 percent according to a new Rasmussen poll of likely voters. That’s not necessarily great news for Roberts, however, as the incumbent was excepted to easily win his re-election bid in deep red Kansas.

While some Democrats may be dragged down by President Obama’s unpopularity, Roberts may be dragged down by his state’s governor’s unpopularity. Earlier this week we reported that Kansas Governor Sam Brownback trails his Democratic opponent by 10 percent after winning his first election in a landslide.

In Iowa is where we see the closest race. According to a new Rasmussen poll, conducted between August 11 and August 12, sampling 750 likely voters, Republican Joni Ernst is tied with Democrat Bruce Braley at 43 percent apiece. In the last Rasmussen poll, conducted back in June, the race was also virtually tied with Ernst leading 45-44.

(Image courtesy of Gage Skidmore)