NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- A new Vanderbilt University poll bucks a recent trend to show Phil Bredesen and Marsha Blackburn in a dead heat for Tennessee’s junior Senate seat.
Several polls taken early this year showed Bredesen the leading choice among registered Tennessee voters. Polls taken over the summer showed the candidates essentially tied.
In more recent weeks reputable polls have shown Blackburn with a five, eight, and even a 14 point lead.
The latest poll by Vanderbilt sampled 800 Tennessee voters. Polster Josh Clinton says it shows Bredesen with a one-point lead.
“Basically a tied race with about eight percent that are still yet to make up their minds and so that race could go either way.”
Clinton says the poll reveals an interesting trend. It shows Tennessee women prefer Bredesen by 12 percent, while Tennessee men prefer Blackburn by 13 points.
“You see that a bit in the dynamics of our senate race here in terms of what people are looking for in their candidates, what kind of considerations they are thinking about.”
The Vanderbilt Poll also shows growing support in Tennessee for President Trump. The poll indicated a 53 percent approval rating back in May, rising slightly to 55 percent this past week.
Dr. Clinton notes that political poling is as much art as it is science. He suggests voters take polls with a grain of salt.
“Polls are just a snapshot in time. What really matters...is what happens on Election Day.”
Would you like to review the complete Vanderbilt Poll?