News/Campaigns

Internal poll shows Buchanan with slight lead in race for Tauscher’s seat

California Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan (D) has a narrow early lead in the race for Rep. Ellen Tauscher’s (D-Calif.) seat in the first poll of the race.

The poll, which was conducted for Buchanan’s campaign team and obtained by the BBR, found that Buchanan earned 21 percent while state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D) garnered 18 percent.

Republican San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson came in third with 14 percent and former state Assemblyman Guy Houston (R) 13 percent. About a third of respondents in the survey were undecided.

Tauscher has been selected for a post at the State Department and is expected to vacate her seat if and when she is confirmed by the Senate. A special election for her 10th District seat will ensue.

The Hill reported earlier this week that DeSaulnier is considered a frontrunner for the post but that Buchanan will likely be his biggest competition.

The poll was conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin and Associates and commissioned by Buchanan.

The poll surveyed 400 likely special election voters. There was a plus or minus 4.9 percentage point margin of error in the poll.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com