A poll released by Kimball Political Consulting on Sunday afternoon shows Democrat Patrick Murphy leading Republican incumbent Allen West 49 to 45 percent among likely voters in Florida’s 18th Congressional district.
On Thursday, West’s campaign released an internal poll showing the freshman firebrand leading his Democratic challenger by nine points.
Weighing down West’s numbers is an upside-down approval rating. 42% of respondents had a favorable impression of West, while 51% had a negative one. Murphy is buoyed by a 45%/37% favorability ratio.
Perhaps the most important factor driving the survey’s results is the top of the ballot. The poll shows Barack Obama leading Mitt Romney by seven points.
Obviously, Murphy’s campaign is pleased with the poll’s findings.
“Given the barrage of negative and untrue attacks launched by Congressman West against Patrick Murphy, this independently conducted poll shows that the people of the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches have had enough of West’s extreme antics,” said Murphy’s communications director Erin Moffet. “These numbers show that Allen West is in real trouble, and that Patrick Murphy has the numbers and the support to beat him.”
Kimball Political Consulting largely serves Republican clients.
The poll results can be viewed here.
