A new Rasmussen poll released Monday shows three-term Kansas Senator Pat Roberts is only four points ahead of his Democratic rival.
Roberts beat challenger Milton Wolf by seven points in the Republican primary, and the new poll of 750 voters shows Roberts leading Democratic challenger Chad Taylor 44 percent to 40.
University of Kansas political science professor Burdett Loomis says that Roberts’ recent dip in popularity is likely due his increasingly conservative philosophy and his length of time in office. Roberts was also hurt by media coverage in February that questioned why he didn't own a home in the state that he represents.
But, Loomis says, Kansas is still red.
“Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, so the odds are very great against the Democratic Party," he says.
The poll was conducted Aug. 6 and 7, immediately after Roberts’ primary race. Wolf aired several attack ads against Roberts, and it's possible that the spots impacted the poll results.
“In many ways, the poll was taken at the least favorable time for Pat Roberts," Loomis says.
Eight percent of voters in the poll were undecided, and seven percent supported another candidate.