Poll shows Toomey holding apparent lead over Sestak in Pennsylvania’s race for US Senate

Poll: Toomey slightly ahead in Pa. Senate race

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Republican Pat Toomey is slightly ahead of Democrat Joe Sestak in a new poll in Pennsylvania’s closely watched race for U.S. Senate.

The Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday shows Toomey with 50 percent to Sestak’s 43 percent among likely voters. Meanwhile, independent voters are breaking heavily for Toomey, 54 percent to 36 percent.

It’s the Connecticut school’s first survey in the race since July, when it showed both at 43 percent.

In the new poll, 7 percent say they are undecided.

The telephone poll of 684 Pennsylvanians deemed likely to vote was conducted during the five days ending Sunday. The sampling error margin is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

The election is Nov. 2.