Grassley pulling away from Dem challenger

by Jordain Carney - 09/23/16 2:19 PM ET

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is leading his Democratic opponent in the Iowa Senate race by 12 points, according to a new poll released Friday.

Democrats had tried to make Grassley a top target this year, but he’s widened his lead over the Democratic nominee, former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, since Quinnipiac University’s poll last month, which had him leading by 9 percentage points.

{mosads}The latest Quinnipiac poll shows the six-term incumbent beating Judge 55 percent to 43 percent.

“Chuck Grassley has become almost a family member across the Hawkeye State. He is a Republican who runs even with his Democratic challenger among women, something that Republicans rarely accomplish,” said Peter Brown, an assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

A RealClearPolitics average of polling in the Iowa Senate race has Grassley leading by 11.5 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac poll also has Senate incumbents ahead in two other Senate races.

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) is leading his Republican opponent, El Paso County Commissioner Darryl Glenn, by 9 percentage points, according to the poll.

Colorado is one of 10 Senate seats Democrats are defending this cycle, with Republicans eyeing Bennet’s seat as a potential pickup opportunity early in the cycle. Bennet, however, is considered relatively safe after a messy GOP primary election.

Tim Malloy, the assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said Bennet “appears to be cruising to re-election propelled by enormous support in the non-white community.”

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) is also leading Democratic challenger Jim Barksdale by double digits, according to the poll. Isakson is at 55 percent in the red state, compared to Barksdale’s 34 percent.

Republicans are defending 24 Senate seats in November. Democrats need to net five seats— or four if they also retain the White House — to win back the Senate majority.

Tags Chuck Grassley Johnny Isakson Michael Bennet