A recent poll in a crucial Senate race has revealed that the Republican challenger is currently holding an advantage over the Democratic incumbent. According to the survey, Republican Senate nominee Tim Sheehy is leading Democratic Sen. Jon Tester by a six-point margin in a two-way matchup.
In a multi-candidate field, Sheehy is also ahead of Tester, with Libertarian Party candidate Sid Daoud and Green Party candidate Michael Downey polling at 4% and 1%, respectively. The poll indicates that Sheehy enjoys the support of former President Trump, who recently held a rally in Montana to endorse him.
Tester, a Montana farmer seeking a fourth term in the Senate, is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for re-election this year. With Republicans making up 39% of likely voters compared to Democrats at 24%, Tester will need to appeal to Independents or gain support among Republicans to close the gap.
Republicans are eyeing a favorable election map this year, with Democrats defending 23 of the 34 Senate seats up for grabs. In states like West Virginia and Ohio, where Trump previously performed well, Republicans are aiming to secure victories.
With the Senate currently held by Democrats with a slim majority of 51-49, the upcoming elections will play a crucial role in determining the balance of power in the chamber. The new poll in Montana was conducted by a bipartisan polling team and surveyed 1,064 likely voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.