A poll taken by Lawerence Research of Santa Ana, Calif., shows Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Bennett ahead of opponent Democrat Wayne Owens.
Lawerence Research interviewed 450 Utah voters and found Bennett had a 20-percentage-point lead over Owens. The results were 55 percent for Bennett, 35 percent for Owens and 10 percent undecided.The Owens campaign, however, said a recent tracking poll, taken by Coordinated Campaign completed Oct. 15, indicated a continuing shift of support away from Bennett.
The result was a narrow 47 percent to 40 percent lead for Bennett, which continues to erode from 49 percent last week to 43 percent this week.
The Bennett campaign said the poll was based on misrepresented issues. The respondents, after being given the misrepresentations, were then asked whether they would vote for Bennett or Owens.
"Obviously a poll taken on the basis of such a blatant distortion of Bennett's positions is no poll at all and cannot be given any serious consideration," campaign chairman Dan Marriott said.
However, the Owens' campaign said it is significant that Bennett's support among those over 65 has dropped from 52 percent to 35 percent and Owens' support has risen from 31 percent to 44 percent, giving Owens the lead among older voters.
The Coordinated Campaign completed 410 surveys between Oct. 13 and Oct. 16 statewide.