New poll shows Ernst leading Braley by 6 percent in Iowa Senate race

Republican Joni Ernst leads Democrat Bruce Braley in the race for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat, according to a poll released Wednesday.

Ernst led Braley, 50 percent to 44 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University Poll, which surveyed 1,167 likely voters between Sept. 10-15. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

The poll is the third in the past three weeks, and a Quinnipiac pollster said that Ernst's lead among independents, 50 percent to 43 percent, was a key factor.

'The tale of the independent voters tells you all you need to know about the Iowa Senate race,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

He said the key to for Braley will be to do better among that voting bloc.

The poll also said that Ernst led among men, 56 percent to 39 percent, and trailed Braley among women by only six points, 50 percent to 44 percent.

Women are a key voting bloc for Democrats, and other polls have said Braley leads by a larger margin among women.

The Quinnipiac poll is a departure from two other recent polls. A CNN/ORC poll conducted last week had the two in a virtual dead heat, with Braley holding a one-point lead.

A Loras College poll, conducted in the first week of September, had Braley up by four points.

The Quinnipiac Poll said that respondents gave Ernst the edge in trustworthiness and honesty and about caring about their needs, as well as leadership qualities.

The poll also said that by a 45-39 margin, respondents had a favorable opinion of Ernst, while 38 percent had a favorable opinion of Braley and 41 percent had an unfavorable opinion.

The poll indicated President Barack Obama is a drag on Braley's candidacy, too. It said that three in 10 respondents said theirs was a vote against the president, while 12 percent said they were voting to back the president.

Ernst's campaign declined to comment on the poll. A Braley spokesman, Sam Lau, said the congressman had the momentum in the race and 'our campaign will continue to focus on Rep. Braley's bipartisan record of accomplishments.”