(LEX 18) — According to a poll released by Mason-Dixon Polling Strategy, Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell holds a significant lead over Democratic challenger Amy McGrath in the Kentucky U.S. Senate race. Statewide, 51% of likely voters support McConnell, while 42% back McGrath, 4% are for Libertarian Brad Barron and 3% are undecided.
McGrath leads in the Louisville Metro area (56%-36%), but McConnell is ahead in the rest of the state -- most notably in the rural areas of Western Kentucky (60%- 34%) and Eastern Kentucky (58%-35%), as well as suburban Northern Kentucky (55%-37%).
The gender gap consists of a wide McConnell advantage with men (55%-36%), against just a slim margin among women for McGrath (49%-47%).
A similar split is present within age groups, with the race about even among voters under the age of 50. However, McConnell builds his margin via a strong 16-point advantage with those who are age 50 and up.
In terms of cross-over voting, McConnell is (as necessary for GOP candidates) getting a significant share of registered Democrats (29%), while by comparison, McGrath is only drawing 12% of registered Republicans.
