Incumbent Senate Republicans build leads amid ‘substantial’ ticket-splitting

[Geee]

Washington Times:

Donald Trump may be down in the polls, but Republican Senate candidates are still faring relatively well, suggesting — at least for now — that they may escape being drawn down by the whirlpool that analysts predicted would drown all who surround the billionaire businessman.

 

While presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tops Mr. Trump in matchups in Florida, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, incumbent Senate Republicans are all ahead in polling in their own races, building significant leads.

 

“We’re seeing in numerous states and districts at the moment very substantial levels of potential ticket-splitting,” said Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster.

 

Sen. Marco Rubio, who recently reversed course and said he would seek re-election in Florida, was leading two potential opponents by 7 or 8 percentage points in a Quinnipiac University poll last month — even as Mrs. Clinton held an 8-point lead over Mr. Trump in that state.

 

In Pennsylvania, Sen. Patrick J. Toomey held a 9-point lead over Democrat Katie McGinty, while Mr. Trump trailed by 1 point in a recent Quinnipiac survey. In New Hampshire, Sen. Kelly Ayotte led by 9 points over her Democratic challenger, Gov. Maggie Hassan, in a recent American Research Group poll, while Mrs. Clinton was up 5 points in the presidential race.