Poll: Dems hold double-digit leads in Pennsylvania races for governor, Senate

Democrats in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial and Senate races are holding double-digit leads over their Republican opponents, according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Thursday.

Gov. Tom Wolf (D-Pa.) holds a 14-point advantage among registered voters, leading his Republican challenger state Sen. Scott Wagner 54 to 40 percent. Six percent are undecided.

Wolf is buoyed by a 51 percent approval rating in the state while his opponent has a relatively low name recognition. Thirty percent of registered voters said they hadn’t heard of Wagner or didn’t know enough about him to render a judgment. 

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Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) has a 15-point advantage over challenger Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) at 53-38, with nine percent undecided.

Forty-eight percent said they have a favorable impression of Casey, while 30 percent said the same of Barletta.

Democrats in both races may be aided by poor ratings for President Trump and his policies in the state.

The poll found Trump has a 37 percent approval rating and a 53 percent disapproval rating in the state.

In addition, Trump’s tariffs are unpopular with nearly all demographic groups polled except for self-identified Republicans and Trump voters. 

Forty-six percent believe tariffs with raise the cost of consumer goods and hurt the U.S. economy, while 28 percent think they will protect American jobs and help the economy.

Trump has endorsed both Wagner and Barletta.

Trump narrowly won Pennsylvania by less than 1 percent in 2016.

Updated: 10 p.m.