Cook: New Poll Shows Mark Pryor And Tom Cotton In Dead Heat

A new poll conducted by a nationally recognized polling firm shows the U.S. Senate race between Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton is a dead heat.

The poll was conducted by Hickman Analytics, a Democratic leaning polling firm. The majority of the poll dealt with issues surrounding the Keystone Pipeline construction, but Hickman also polled the U.S. Senate race. You can view the entire poll on Politico’s website.

In the horse race question, Hickman listed five U.S. Senate candidates, two major party candidates and three third party candidates. Poll questions that do not include all third party candidates should be ignored as they don’t reflect the full range of choices voters have on Election Day. Please note, independent candidate Rod Bryan did not ultimately file to run, but his name was still tested in the poll.

Among likely voters, here are the results when all five candidates are listed:

Mark Pryor – 40%
Tom Cotton – 37%
Undecided – 14%

Among the third party candidates, Libertarian candidate Nathan Lafrance and Green Party candidate Mark Swaney each received 1% among likely voters and Rod Bryan, the independent candidate, garnered 6%.

Among definite voters, the results changed slightly with Cotton taking a small two-point lead:

Mark Pryor – 39%
Tom Cotton – 41%
Undecided – 12%

Among definite voters, the third party candidates garnered the same percentages as they did with likely voters.

Hickman’s poll found that President Barack Obama has a 32% favorable and 65% unfavorable rating in Arkansas. Mark Pryor has a 47% favorable and 36% unfavorable rating. Tom Cotton has a 36% favorable and 28% unfavorable rating.

In a mid-term election with an unpopular President Obama creating political headaches for Democrats, Mark Pryor continues to wrestle Tom Cotton to an essential tie in the polls.

Once again, polling shows the U.S. Senate race is a complete toss-up.