Braun, Donnelly in virtual dead heat in US Senate race, poll shows

Indiana’s heated U.S. Senate race is one of the hottest, most closely watched in the nation.

A new statewide poll has Democrat Joe Donnelly trailing Republican Mike Braun. 

A new poll by SurveyMonkey for Axios asked registered Indiana voters if the Senate race were held today which candidate would you choose? A total of 49 percent said they would vote for Braun while 47 percent would vote for Donnelly. The poll has a margin of error of plus-minus 5 percent, which means the race is a virtual dead heat. 

Laura Wilson, a University of Indianapolis assistant political science professor, said Wednesday, “This poll’s indicative of just how close the race really is. Obviously a lot can change in the coming months, but the fact that Braun might be slightly ahead in this case to an incumbent would be really surprising.”

Wilson pointed to immigration and other big issues that could separate the candidates.

“So, just as this is important for the (Donald) Trump administration, when you look at the races in Indiana, like our Senate race with Joe Donnelly, this is something you have to say: What role does the Senate take? What is his stance on the issue? What is challenger Mike Braun’s stance? This is something Hoosiers are really paying a lot of attention to.”

Hoosier voters are also paying attention to President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, and how the incumbent Donnelly will vote in the confirmation process.

Wilson said, “Part of this will be the impact in terms of how Hoosiers feel with regards to it. And then how much they translate that to the position of a senator. Like Joe Donnelly plays a role as a senator in the confirmation process, so he has a very direct roll in terms of Kavanaugh’s appointment or ultimately not being appointed.” 

Wilson said this campaign is a focus on messaging and turnout. It’s still early, but, she said, the candidates and their campaigns are trying to convince the most people to get to the polls and vote for them.

Election Day is Nov. 6.