Georgia Senate Race Close as General Election Nears

ATLANTA (MyFOX Atlanta) - The Georgia senate race looks competitive as the general election nears.  A new Rasmussen Reports poll of Georgia voters shows Democratic challenger Jim Martin trailing incumbent Saxby Chambliss by just six percentage points.

Many other Republican senators are seen as being far more vulnerable in this year's election.  Democrats hope Republican seats in Mississippi and Virginia and six other states will be in play.

Senator Saxby Chambliss has been seen as a heavy favorite for re-election to a second term, but the senator's campaign had expected the race to start out with a relatively close margin.

The new Rasmussen Reports poll gives Chambliss 50 percent support, with Democrat Jim Martin in a competitive position at 43 percent.
   
The survey gives Sen. Chambliss the lowest level of support since Rasmussen pollsters began tracking this year's election.  It follows a decisive win by Martin in the Democratic primary runoff earlier this month.

"It says there is a very competitive race in Georgia.  Chambliss is in the lead, that's what you'd expect with an incumbent, but again those numbers would be very encouraging I think to Jim Martin," said Merle Black, political scientist at Emory University.

In a statement, the Martin campaign said, "The latest Rasmussen poll confirms what we already know, that Georgians are looking for a senator who will make this economy work for the middle class again.  That's why Jim is within striking distance of Saxby Chambliss."

Chambliss has prepared for a tough fight with a multi-million dollar war chest that dwarfs Martin's campaign account.

Martin said he hoped a favorable poll result will bolster his fundraising efforts in Georgia and Washington.

"But when you're getting Washington money it all comes down to comparisons with other races across the country for control of the Senate and even though Martin may be competitive here, other races may look like easier Democratic pickups, so it's a very competitive thing to get that Washington money," said Black.

Senator Chambliss' campaign spokesperson said, "Polls will continue to change as we get closer to the election and will be influenced by the conventions and other things, but the only poll Senator Chambliss is really interested in will be the one taken on election day by the actual voters."