A new poll finds six-term Republican Senator Chuck Grassley holding a “comfortable” double-digit lead over Democratic challenger Patty Judge.
The Quinnipiac University Poll found Grassley had the support of 56 percent of those surveyed, compared to 38 percent support for Judge. That’s an 18 point lead.
Sixty-percent of independent voters and 95 percent of Iowa Republicans surveyed support Grassley. Grassley had a 33 percent advantage among male voters. He also had an edge among women, but it was narrower, at seven percent.
“It’s easy to see how Senator Grassley is headed to an easy win in Iowa,” Peter Brown, the poll’s assistant director, said in a written statement. “He’s getting 95 percent of the GOP vote and running a hefty 26 points ahead among independent voters.”
Judge had the support of 80 percent of Democrats surveyed.
The Quinnipiac Poll may provide a glimpse into early voting trends in Iowa. Judge holds a 15-point lead over Grassley among Iowans who’ve already voted. That suggests Democrats may hold a double-digit lead in over-all absentee balloting in the state. The Quinnipiac Poll results announced yesterday found 61 percent of Iowa’s early voters support Clinton, compared to 27 percent who’ve voted for Trump.