If you’d asked me one year ago what one of the hottest primary races in the country would be, I would have named the Specter-Sestak race for the U.S. Senate nomination in Pennsylvania. Arlen Specter was a long-time Republican (and all-around pain-in-the-ass) with previous health problems running against a much-younger former Admiral, Joe Sestak. The race seemed to disappear off the radar. Specter became a reliable Democratic vote, and didn’t make too many waves. He seemed to be cruising to victory. Just last month, polls showed him leading Joe Sestak by more than 20 points.
Apparently Sestak’s media plan was to wait until closer to the end of the race to unleash his media campaign. Two new polls show Sestak within single digits in the race. A Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll released Sunday showed Specter up 6% – 48%-42%. A newly-released Quinnipiac poll shows Specter up 47%-39%. The Pennsylvania primary is on May 18.
Update: Brand new poll from Muhlenberg College/Morning Call shows Specter up by 4%, 46%-42%.