California Democratic senator Barbara Boxer has extended her narrow lead over Republican challenger Carly Fiorina in her closely watched bid for re-election in November, according to a poll released today.
Ms Boxer, facing the toughest electoral fight of her senate career, led Ms Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard chief executive, by 47 per cent to 41 per cent in the Field Poll.
That marked a slight gain from the Field Poll conducted in July, which showed the three-term senator leading Fiorina, making her first run for public office, by 47 per cent to 44 per cent.
Republicans, who see a chance to regain majorities in the US Senate and House of Representatives in the November 2nd elections, would love to defeat Ms Boxer, an outspoken liberal and strong supporter of President Barack Obama's agenda.
Many political analysts have called the Boxer-Fiorina race a toss-up, saying Ms Boxer has been hurt by high negative ratings and faces a well-financed candidate who can trumpet her status as a Washington outsider and self-made Silicon Valley businesswoman.
Ms Fiorina also faces obstacles, including running as a conservative in California, which has 2 million more registered Democrats than Republicans.
Field Poll directors said the poll results showed the 2010 election was more about incumbent Ms Ms Boxer than Ms Fiorina.
According to the poll, 65 per cent of those who supported Ms Fiorina said their choice was more of a vote against Boxer than affirmation of the former Silicon Valley executive.
The poll surveyed 599 registered California voters from September 14th to 21st and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.
Reuters