Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll: Republican Joni Ernst Leads Democrat Bruce Braley 44% to 38%

Des Moines Register’s new poll numbers are making Democrat Senate candidate Bruce Braley squeal like a pig …

The Republican party needs a net pick up of six US Senate seats in the 2014 midterm elections. It appears now that they may have many different ways to gain that number, including a pick up in Iowa. The latest Des Moines Register Iowa poll has Republican Joni Ernst leading Democrat Bruce Braley 44% to 38%. How bad is it for the Democrats and Braley in Iowa, Braley is not even winning his home district. Also, 2/3 of likely voters believe it is a problem that he missed a large percentage of Veterans Affairs Committee meetings in the U.S. House and 59% think his role in crafting Obamacare is a problem. Braley is also polling poorly with rural voters as only 15% support him compared with 58% for Ernst.

First debate between Iowa U.S. Senate candidates Bruce Braley and Joni Ernst

Joni for Iowa

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The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate is 6 points behind his GOP rival, Joni Ernst, according to The Des Moines Register’s new Iowa Poll of likely voters.

Ernst leads 44 percent to 38 percent in a race that has for months been considered deadlocked. She leads nearly 4-1 with rural voters, and is up double digits with independents.

“Very interesting, and good news not just for Ernst but also for the GOP’s chances of taking the U.S. Senate,” said national political prognosticator Larry Sabato of “Sabato’s Crystal Ball.”

Just seven months ago, political analysts considered Braley almost a shoo-in for a seat held for 30 years by liberal Democrat Tom Harkin.