Poll: Iowa Senate race a dead heat

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa’s Senate race is a dead heat, according to a new poll conducted for CNN.

Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) leads Iowa state Sen. Joni Ernst (R) 49 percent to 48 percent in the live-caller poll conducted by ORC International.

{mosads}Most recent polling has found a tight race between the two candidates in the perennial swing state. Republicans hope to pick off the seat held by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), something that would greatly increase their chances of winning a Senate majority.

The race has seen heavy spending on both sides. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and environmental groups have been on the air attacking Ernst in recent days, while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Crossroads have been up boosting her and attacking Braley.

The poll of 608 likely voters was conducted from Sept. 6-10 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.