Chell's Not Playing Games

November 27, 2007, Hotline -- A National Journal Daily Briefing

'02 SEN nominee Pingree (D) releases ME-01 poll showing her up big....

A Lake Research Partners poll; conducted 10/25-31 for ex-Common Cause pres. Chellie Pingree (D); surveyed 671 Likely Dem primary voters; margin of error +/- 3% (release, 11/26). Tested: Pingree, state Sen. Michael Brennan (D), State Sen. Ethan Strimling (D), DA Mark Lawrence (D) and Iraq war veteran Adam Cote (D).

Primary Election Matchup
C. Pingree 41%
M. Brennan 11
E. Strimling 10
M. Lawrence 7
A. Cote 6
Undec. 25

Name ID
C. Pingree 86%
M. Brennan 61
E. Strimling 53
M. Lawrence 40
A. Cote 27

Pingree manager Lisa Prosienski "lauded the results." Prosienski: "We are obviously very pleased about what this poll tells us and Chellie Pingree's position in this race, but it is far too early for anyone to take anything for granted." But the "crowded field" of candidates and the "timing of the poll" left some analysts "skeptical" of Pingree's lead. Univ. of ME's James Melcher: "It's awful early. I think she's clearly one of the frontrunners and I'd say if anyone were ahead, I'd guess it would be her. But I would be surprised if the race turns out that way."

Pingree's opponents "point to the only independent poll," a 11/07 Critical Insights poll that showed "nearly nine out of 10" Maine voters were "unable to offer the names of any of the candidates" running in the CD (Toeplitz, Roll Call, 11/26).

House Race Hotline 11.27.07.pdf