Poll: Duckworth still far ahead in congressional primary

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Tammy Duckworth and Raja Krishnamoorthi

Updated: January 26, 2012 12:55PM

Former Obama Administration Veterans Official Tammy Duckworth still holds a commanding 42-percentage-point lead over her rival Raja Krishnamoorthi in the Democratic primary race for a northwest suburban congressional seat, according to a new campaign poll.

That’s a bit down from the 61-percentage-point lead she had over him in July.

Having already run for Congress in that area, Duckworth started the race with a 69-8 advantage over Kirshnamoorthi, her first poll said.

This one shows her leading him 59 percent to 17 percent. The poll by Petts & Associates surveyed 400 likely voters in the 8th Congressional District by phone between Jan. 10-12.

Petts was hired by the Duckworth campaign, which released partial details Wednesday afternoon. Duckworth’s name was recognized by 83 percent of those surveyed.

Krishnamoorthi is a former deputy state treasurer who narrowly lost a Democratic primary race for state comptroller in 2010.

Krishnamoorthi got in the race first and locked up endorsements from most of the Democratic committeemen in the district. But Duckworth jumped in with more name recognition and has been catching up to Krishnamoorthi in fund-raising.

The winner will face firebrand Tea Party freshman Joe Walsh in November.

When asked who had the better chance of beating Walsh, 65 percent said Duckworth and 13 percent said Krishnamoorthi.

Duckworth supporter David Axelrod was quoted by the campaign saying, “I have never seen anyone overcome a 42-point deficit this late in the race.”

When voters were read favorable statements about both candidates, Duckworth stayed at 59 percent while Krishnamoorthi’s support climbed to 23 percent.

Of those surveyed, Krishnamoorthi was viewed favorably by 28 percent, unfavorably by 4 percent and was recognized by 42 percent of those polled — half the name recognition of Duckworth.

Krishnamoorthi said the last two months of the campaign are when he starts spending and getting voters familiar with his name.

“This campaign has barely begun,” Krishnamoorthi Deputy Campaign Manager Mike Murray said. ”If polls two months out predicted elections, Hillary Clinton would be the president, and Rick Perry would be the Republican nominee.

“Leaders in our district have overwhelmingly endorsed Raja as their choice, and I’m confident that when voters get the chance to hear from both candidates, they’ll make Raja their nominee. Raja is the only candidate in this race with the economic experience and a detailed plan to turn our economy around by helping to create jobs for the middle class.”