The latest news out of Tennessee today:
In the lead-up to former Gov. Phil Bredesen’s decision to launch a bid for the U.S. Senate, polling commissioned by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee found the former Nashville mayor had slightly more support than U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn.
The poll found Bredesen was leading Blackburn by 46 percent to 41 percent among likely voters, with 13 percent undecided.
The survey was performed Oct. 20-22, more than a month before the Nashville Democrat entered the race.
Among independents alone, Bredesen’s lead increased in a head-to-head matchup with Blackburn. Forty-eight percent of independents favored Bredesen, while 31 percent were with Blackburn.
When respondents were asked if they were highly committed to their candidate, 83 percent of self-identified Bredesen voters said they were very or somewhat committed to the Democrat, versus Blackburn, who netted 89 percent.
“Thus, the ‘lines’ seem to be drawn fairly early, with perhaps fewer persuadable voters than average,” states a Garin-Hart-Yang memo analyzing the poll.
The poll tried to reflect Tennessee’s political makeup, with Republicans consisting of 42 percent of all respondents, 29 percent Democrats and 25 percent independents.
Let’s make the GOP pay for their disastrous tax bill. Click here to donate and get involved with Bredesen’s campaign.