Bredesen Leads Blackburn In Tennessee Senate Race: Poll

NASHVILLE, TN -- Another poll has former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, leading Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Bob Corker.

The poll of 625 registered voters by Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy, showed a 46-43 edge for Bredesen with 11 percent undecided. The poll, which was conducted between April 17 and 19, has a 4-point margin of error.

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Bredesen led among women, African-American voters and voters under the age of 50, while Blackburn led, conversely, among men, white voters and voters 50 and older. In the historically rock-ribbed Republican region of East Tennessee, Blackburn leads Bredesen 48-39. Bredesen leads in the other two Grand Divisions - a 49-42 advantage in Middle Tennessee and 51-38 in West Tennessee.

Unsurprisingly, Bredesen, who counted on independent and Republican support during his two terms as governor, has far more cross-over appeal than does Blackburn, a frequent surrogate for President Donald Trump. Independents favor Bredesen 49-35 and 12 of self-identified Republicans said they would vote for him, according to the poll. Only 2 percent of Democrats said they'd cast a vote for Blackburn.

A Democratic-leaning pollster found a similar lead for Bredesen in March and the MTSU Poll showed a shocking double-digit lead for the Democrat earlier this month.

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