Sasse poll has him leading by 6 points in Nebraska Senate race

By Deena Winter | Nebraska Watchdog

LINCOLN, Neb. – A new poll by Ben Sasse’s U.S. Senate campaign has him leading the pack of five Republicans in the final weeks before the May 13 primary election.

The poll, which was conducted over the weekend, has Midland University President Ben Sasse having overcome a 30-point deficit and passing former State Treasurer Shane Osborn, leading with 31 percent, followed by Osborn with 25 percent, with Omaha banker Sid Dinsdale closely behind with 22 percent. Omaha attorney Bart McLeay checks in at just 5 percent, barely beating lesser-known candidate Clifton Johnson with 3 percent.

Perhaps just as surprising as Sasse’s surge is Dinsdale’s — who got a boost Sunday when the Omaha World-News endorsed him.

According to the National Review, which obtained the poll, the candidates’ favorability ratings are pretty similar: 58 percent for Sasse, 56 percent for Osborn and 54 percent for Dinsdale. However, the unfavorability numbers are more revealing, with Sasse’s at 18 percent, Osborn’s at 26 percent and Dinsdale’s at 12 percent. Some have speculated that Dinsdale could shoot the middle — the way U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer did — as the top two candidates beat each other up.

The Sasse campaign contends the high unfavorable number for Obsborn stems from recent negative television ads targeting him. The sample size was 507 respondents.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Deena Winter at deena@nebraskawatchdog.org. Follow Deena on Twitter at @DeenaNEWatchdog

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