Boxer Leads Schwarzenneger in 2010 Senate Poll

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) leads Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in a hypothetical matchup in California’s 2010 Senate race, a poll released Thursday found.

49 percent of Californians said they preferred Boxer over Schwarzenegger, who drew 40 percent of the support in a Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll. 11 percent of those surveyed said they were undecided.

The poll suggests that Boxer, who falls beneath the 50 percent threshold seen as healthy for incumbents, may be vulnerable but still is beyond the margin of error from Schwarzenegger, who has been the state’s governor since winning the 2003 California recall of Gov. Gray Davis.

However, 51 percent of Californians said they had an unfavorable opinion of Schwarzenegger, opposed to the 42 percent who view him favorably. 48 percent rated Boxer favorably, and 46 gave California’s junior Senator the thumbs-down.

The poll, conducted January 5-7, has a four percent margin of error.