Bruning, Ricketts tied in governor's race; Sasse leads for Senate (NE)

omaha.com ^ | 5/10/14 | Joseph Morton

[cotton1706]

The Republican primary race for Nebraska governor is a dead heat between Attorney General Jon Bruning and businessman Pete Ricketts, while Midland University President Ben Sasse has built a sizable lead over his GOP rivals for the state's open U.S. Senate seat, according to new poll numbers.

The Magellan Strategies poll of 525 likely Republican voters was conducted May 8 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. The poll was conducted one day after Bruning received endorsements from Gov. Dave Heineman and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert.

The results were posted online by the Legacy Foundation Action Fund, a group supporting Sasse.

It was not immediately clear who paid for the poll. Similar poll results on the site included questions that tracked with negative attacks on one of Sasse's opponents.

In the governor's race, Ricketts received the support of 25 percent of survey respondents, while Bruning received 24 percent — well within the margin of error.

State Auditor Mike Foley, meanwhile, trailed with 18 percent and State Sen. Beau McCoy won the backing of 16 percent. Bryan Slone and Tom Carlson rounded out the pack, with both earning 5 percent.

In the Senate race, Sasse received the support of 38 percent of respondents, well ahead of banker Sid Dinsdale's 24 percent.

One-time front-runner Shane Osborn, a former Nebraska state treasurer, had 20 percent. Attorney Bart McLeay brought up the rear with 6 percent.

The poll comes amid a flurry of last-minute campaign activity by the candidates and outside groups ahead of Tuesday's primary election.

[cotton1706]

Palin endorsed Ricketts.

[RJS1950]

And Bruning is a GOP establishment buttboy. We know what we’ve had with him as AG, time to try someone else.

[Steven Scharf]

“In the governor’s race, Ricketts received the support of 25 percent of survey respondents, while Bruning received 24 percent — well within the margin of error. State Auditor Mike Foley, meanwhile, trailed with 18 percent and State Sen. Beau McCoy won the backing of 16 percent. Bryan Slone and Tom Carlson rounded out the pack, with both earning 5 percent.”

I would actually call this race pretty wide open. A) no candidate has more that 25% and the top 4 are within 10 points of each other. B) The race is taking back burner to the senate race (although it could be getting more play in Nebraska than is seen by outside observers). Primaries are about getting out your voters. I have seen nothing about the politics of these candidates, but if one is aligned closer to Ben Sasse, he may have the edge on Tuesday.

It appears the winner on Tuesday will have an easy general election as the dem appears to be a lightweight and the libertarian is described as a one issue candidate that will appeal to liberals and dems: legalizing marihuana

I have no dog or pony in this race, just calling them as I see them.