Onorato Widens Lead, Specter Margin Shrinking

Two weeks before the Pennsylvania Primary, a new Quinnipiac University poll was released today amid heavy TV advertising.
The survey of likely primary voters shows that Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is widening his lead in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. In the four-way race, Onorato received 36% support....up from 20% a month ago. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel received 9% and Auditor General Jack Wagner and State Senator Anthony Williams 8% apiece. 37% of those surveyed are still undecided.

Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, says in the Senate Democratic Primary, 5-term incumbent Arlen Specter leads Congressman Joe Sestak 47% to 39%. A month ago, Specter led 53% to 32%.
"The Senate race is closing and could be headed for a close finish."

Brown says the narrowing of the Specter/Sestak race is confirmed by other factors.
The narrowing of the Specter/Sestak race is confirmed by other measures as well:

* Democrats trust Specter more than Sestak to do what he says he will do 42 - 31 percent, compared to 43 - 26 percent April 7;
* Voters give Specter a 57 - 31 percent favorability, compared to 60 - 26 percent;
* Sestak gets a 43 - 11percent favorability, compared to 33 - 6 percent.

However, Democrats say 60 - 23 percent that Specter is more likely to win in November.