Exclusive: Duckworth With Comfortable Lead on Widely Unknown Salvi
A new poll for The Illinoize shows U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth with a 24-point lead over Republican challenger Kathy Salvi.
A new poll conducted for The Illinoize shows incumbent U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth with a wide lead on Republican challenger Kathy Salvi.
The statewide poll was conducted Thursday through Sunday by McHenry County-based firm Victory Geek, sampling 512 voters using both automated and live phone calls. The margin of error is ±4.3%
Duckworth, who is seeking re-election for the first time after defeating incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk in 2016, has largely made a name for herself in Washington on issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and other armed forces issues. She also gave birth while in office.
As a U.S. Army helicopter pilot flying a mission over Iraq in 2004, Duckworth’s chopper was hit by a rocket propelled grenade, leading to the loss of both of her legs.
Duckworth leads Salvi, a former congressional candidate and attorney from Lake County, 59% to 35% with 7% undecided.
Salvi, who failed in a primary run for congress in 2006, was a late entrant into the U.S. Senate race and defeated a group of poorly known and underfunded candidates. She is a longtime pro-life activist, and wife of former Rep. Al Salvi, who ran for Secretary of State and U.S. Senate.
Salvi is an unknown commodity to many Illinoisans, according to our polling. Just 26% of voters surveyed have any kind of opinion about her. 11% say they have a favorable opinion and 15% have an unfavorable opinion. 74% are unsure. 77% of downstaters are unsure of who Salvi is.
Meanwhile, Duckworth has a 52% favorability and a 30% unfavorable rating (+22, higher than Pritzker), with 18% unsure. Duckworth is even above water downstate, with 42% favorable and 35% unfavorable. 23% of downstaters are unsure.
In the head-to-head matchup, Duckworth leads in Cook County 73%-17%, in the suburbs 66%-31%, and the two women are tied at 46% downstate. Duckworth leads 62%-25% among moderates.
The full poll can be seen here.
