A new Mason-Dixon poll commissioned by the Salt Lake Tribune suggests that Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) could be doomed to defeat at his state GOP’s convention in May — which would defeat him for renomination without even having a primary.
The poll of convention delegates gave attorney Mike Lee 37%, followed by businessman Tim Bridgewater with 20%, the incumbent Bennett at only 16%, and businesswoman Cherilyn Eagar with 11%. In addition, a whopping 61% of delegates view Bennett unfavorably, with only 28% giving him a favorable rating.
Under the rules of the Utah GOP, a candidate with 60% of the convention vote will be nominated outright, with no primary. If the super-majority is not reached, then the final two contenders will have a primary — meaning that a candidate must receive at least 40% of the convention vote in order to make it to the primary. With the incumbent Bennett at only 16%, it is seems highly unlikely that he could make it out of the convention.
Bennett has been heavily targeted by the right wing for his having previously worked with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) on a health care bill that would have included an individual mandate to purchase health insurance. Bennett ultimately voted against the final health care bill, which also includes the mandate. In addition, he has been attacked for his support of the TARP bailout in 2008.
If Bennett is defeated for renomination, this would be the first time since 1940 that an incumbent Senator from Utah lost their party’s nomination.
