The new Rasmussen poll of Kentucky finds Republican nominee Rand Paul continuing to lead Democrat Jack Conway in the state’s big Senate race — but also suggests that the controversy surrounding Paul’s statements against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 could potentially hurt him.
The numbers: Paul 49%, Conway 41%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5%. In a poll taken the day after the May 18 primary, which Paul won in a landslide, He had a much bigger lead over Conway of 59%-34%. The poll also says that 73% of voters have followed the news about Paul’s comments somewhat closely or very closely. Forty-five percent say Paul’s comments will be somewhat or very important to how they vote, with 47% saying it will be not very important or not all important to how they vote.
The TPM Poll Average gives Paul a lead of 48.4%-39.9%.